Shuzenji Temple

The birthplace of Shuzenji Hot Springs, known for its attractive hot spring resort, Shuzenji Temple is located in the center of the hot spring resort area and is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) in 807.

It is also known as the setting for literary works, including Soseki Natsume’s novel “Shuzenji no Daiseki” and Kido Okamoto’s play “Shuzenji Monogatari” (The Tale of Shuzenji).

In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the Hojo clan took refuge in this temple, and the temple’s fortunes flourished and it became a large temple with a series of halls and towers.

On the other hand, in 1194, Minamoto no Noriyori, the younger brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first barbarian general of the Kamakura shogunate, was suspected by Yoritomo and was imprisoned here in Shuzenji.

Minamoto no Yoritomo’s son, Minamoto no Yorike, the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, was also doomed to be assassinated while bathing in 1204 due to a plot by his mother Hojo Masako and his grandfather Hojo Tokimasa.

Thus, Shuzenji became the scene of tragedy for the Minamoto clan, and its name is etched in history as the site of the downfall of the Minamoto clan. However, there is no historical record to support the murder of Noriyori, and there are rumors of his survival.

In 1409, a great fire destroyed the temple, but it was rebuilt by Hojo Soun (Ise Shinkuro Choji), who ruled all of Izu, and reconstructed as a Soto-shu temple.

The present main hall was rebuilt in 1883.

The temple was first called “Katsurayasan-ji,” but the name “Shuzen-ji” took root in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and the temple territory was also called “Shuzen-ji” as well.

Today, the name of the temple is written both “Shuzenji” and “Shuzenji,” and the name of the place is Shuzenji, Izu City.

The precincts of the temple also house the treasure house “Zuihozo,” which exhibits items related to Minamoto no Yorike and an old wooden mask carved from a piece of wood that was the inspiration for the play “Shuzenji Monogatari” (The Tale of Shuzenji).

Legend has it that Kukai used the gilt-bronze Tokko pestle to create a gushing hot spring.