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The Gokoku-ji (lit. "Protection of the Nation Temple") in [[Tokyo]] was founded in [[1682]] as a private temple for [[Keishoin|Keishôin]], the mother of Shogun [[Tokugawa Tsunayoshi]].

The Gokoku-ji (lit. "Protection of the Nation Temple") in [[Tokyo]] was founded in [[1682]] as a private temple for [[Keishoin|Keishôin]], the mother of Shogun [[Tokugawa Tsunayoshi]].

The temple contains a [[Toshogu|Tôshôgû]], a [[Shinto]] shrine dedicated to the spirit of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], erected within the grounds in [[1691]]. Six years later, the main hall of the temple was rebuilt, and the temple was reestablished as a public temple, no longer a private space. Several buildings on the grounds, including the [[1697]] ''Hondô'' and the [[Muromachi period]] ''Gekkôden'', have been designated [[Important Cultural Properties]]. The [[Yakushi]] Hall (''Yakushi-dô''), also built in 1691, includes ''[http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/katoumado.htm katômado]'' windows, and other elements of [[Zen]] architecture, and remains unchanged from its original design, serving as an excellent example of [[Genroku]] period architecture.

The temple contains a [[Toshogu|Tôshôgû]], a [[Shinto]] shrine dedicated to the spirit of [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]], erected within the grounds in [[1691]]. Six years later, the main hall of the temple was rebuilt, and the temple was reestablished as a public temple, no longer a private space. Several buildings on the grounds, including the [[1697]] ''Hondô'' and the [[Muromachi period]] ''Gekkôden'', have been designated [[Important Cultural Properties]]. The [[Yakushi]] Hall (''Yakushi-dô''), also built in 1691, includes ''[http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/katoumado.htm katômado]'' windows, and other elements of [[Zen]] architecture, and remains unchanged from its original design, serving as an excellent example of [[Genroku]] period architecture.

The temple is dedicated to Daigensui Myôô, a deity associated with the protection of the realm, and in particular the defeat or destruction of enemies of the state. Daigensui is also enshrined in at least one temple in [[Yamashiro province]], serving as protector of the Imperial capital of [[Kyoto]]; here, in [[Edo]], he was chosen as a guardian deity to protect the [[Tokugawa shogunate]].

The previous Yakushi-dô was converted into a Daishi-dô ("Great Master Hall", dedicated to [[Kobo Daishi|Kôbô Daishi]]) in [[1701]]; it was renovated and relocated in 1926 to its current location. It is a relatively unadorned structure, and retains many features of medieval architecture.

Another prominent object of worship at the temple is an image of the 33-bodied Buddha (''sanjûsanjin''), commissioned in [[1704]] by Keishôin upon her 77th birthday; each of the thirty-three statues contains a strand of Keishôin's hair, and one is believed to have been sculpted to represent Keishôin herself, as a spirit, deity, or Buddha helping to protect the shogun and his realm.

Another prominent object of worship at the temple is an image of the 33-bodied Buddha (''sanjûsanjin''), commissioned in [[1704]] by Keishôin upon her 77th birthday; each of the thirty-three statues contains a strand of Keishôin's hair, and one is believed to have been sculpted to represent Keishôin herself, as a spirit, deity, or Buddha helping to protect the shogun and his realm.