Horinji Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple of the Obaku school located in Chiyoda Town, Ora District, Gunma Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shinpukuzan, and the temple has a history spanning more than 700 years. It is regarded as an important temple for understanding the history of Zen Buddhism in northern Kanto.
Horinji also has a close connection with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who later became the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. The temple is particularly known for preserving Buddhist treasures and cultural properties from Man tokuzan Kosaiji, a once-grand temple in the castle town of Tatebayashi that no longer exists.
Today, Horinji continues to preserve its historic cultural properties while also opening its doors to the local community and visitors. The temple houses a collection of Buddhist statues created by renowned sculptors of the Edo period, as well as a historic bronze bell designated as a National Important Art Object. In recent years, the temple has also attracted attention as a new tourism destination through TEMPLESTAY ZENSŌ, an accommodation facility created in a detached building on the temple grounds where guests can experience temple lodging and Zen practices.
The history of Horinji dates back to 1306, during the Tokutoku era. The temple was founded by Daisetsu Sonō Zenji, a distinguished Buddhist monk who was later given the posthumous title Kōen Myōkan Zenji.
Daisetsu Sonō entered the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 14 and trained at major Buddhist centers including Mount Hiei, Tofukuji Temple, and Tenryuji Temple. He later traveled to China, then known as the Yuan dynasty, to study Zen Buddhism. After returning to Japan, he spread Zen teachings and became known as the founder of the Daisetsu school of Zen.
The temple later declined during periods of warfare, including the conflicts of the Sengoku period. Its revival was led by the Edo-period Zen monk Chōon Dōkai Zenji. In 1667, at the request of local Buddhist devotees and samurai, he came to Horinji and devoted himself to rebuilding the temple as its restorer.
Chōon Dōkai introduced teachings of the Obaku school, a school of Zen Buddhism influenced by Chinese Zen traditions. Horinji developed into one of the earliest important Zen training centers in northern Kanto, and his lectures attracted many followers. His reputation eventually reached Tatebayashi Castle, where castle officials and samurai retainers became his devotees.
The history of Horinji is closely connected with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, who was the lord of Tatebayashi Domain before becoming the fifth shogun of Japan.
Tsunayoshi promoted Zen Buddhist culture in Tatebayashi and established Mantokuzan Kosaiji Temple, a large and magnificent temple complex. However, when Tatebayashi Castle was dismantled in 1683, Kosaiji was also demolished.
At that time, many of the temple’s Buddhist statues, treasures, and bronze bells were transferred to Horinji. These cultural properties have been carefully preserved at Horinji and provide valuable insight into the history of Zen Buddhism and religious culture during the Edo period.
Throughout its long history, Horinji suffered from repeated fires. Particularly from the Edo period through the final years of the shogunate, several major fires are believed to have destroyed many of the temple buildings.
Fortunately, many of the temple’s Buddhist statues and cultural properties survived these disasters and have been passed down to the present day.
The main hall was rebuilt in 1901, followed by further restoration work over the years. Major reconstruction and improvements were carried out in the 21st century. In 2006, the main hall and temple gate were rebuilt, followed by the priests’ quarters in 2012 and the bell tower in 2016.
As a result of these restoration projects, Horinji today combines the atmosphere of a historic Zen temple with beautifully maintained buildings and grounds.
The present-day grounds of Horinji were substantially renewed during the major restoration projects of the Heisei era. The temple features a beautiful tiled main hall, an imposing temple gate, and a traditional bell tower, creating a dignified atmosphere characteristic of a Zen temple.
The main hall is the central building of Horinji. In the Obaku school, the main hall is known as the Daiyū Hōden, or “Hall of the Great Hero.” It enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha together with two attendant figures as the Shakyamuni Triad.
The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is attributed to Kōrin, a renowned Buddhist sculptor of the Edo period. Its refined craftsmanship and calm expression make a strong impression on visitors.
The temple gate was reconstructed using pillars from the former main hall, making it a symbolic structure that connects the present temple with its past.
In front of the gate stands a stone monument inscribed with “Fukyō kunshu nyū sanmon,” expressing the Buddhist precept that meat, alcohol, and other prohibited substances should not be brought into the temple grounds.
The bell tower houses one of Horinji’s most important cultural properties: a historic bronze temple bell. The bell was cast in 1670 and is believed to have originally been associated with Kosaiji Temple, the temple connected with Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.
The bell bears an inscription by Mokuan Shōtō Zenji and has been designated a National Important Art Object. Acoustic studies have also confirmed that the bell produces a beautiful tone with a particularly long resonance, making it a valuable surviving example of an early Edo-period temple bell.
Horinji preserves numerous historic cultural properties. Among the most important is the Obaku Buddhist Sculpture Collection of Horinji, which was designated a Gunma Prefectural Important Cultural Property in 2022.
The collection consists of Buddhist statues created during the Edo period. They are attributed to Kōyū, a sculptor associated with the famous Shichijo Buddhist Sculpture Workshop in Kyoto, and are regarded as important examples of Buddhist art associated with the early development of the Obaku school in Japan.
The temple houses a number of important Buddhist statues, including:
• Seated Statue of Shakyamuni Buddha
• Statue of Ananda
• Statue of Mahakashyapa
• Statue of Weituo (Skanda)
• Statue of Kako Bodhisattva
• Statue of Kinnara-raja Bodhisattva
• Statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva (Hotei)
• Statue of Bodhidharma
• Statue of White-robed Kannon
These statues are valuable examples of the artistic style associated with the early period when the Obaku school was becoming established in Japan.
In recent years, Horinji has introduced a new way for visitors to experience temple life through TEMPLESTAY ZENSŌ, an accommodation facility created in a detached building on the temple grounds. The facility opened in January 2023 and was the first accommodation facility in Chiyoda Town.
The entire property is rented to one group per day and can accommodate up to six guests, making it suitable for families and groups of friends. Guests can also stay with their dogs, allowing them to enjoy a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.
Guests can take part in traditional Zen experiences such as zazen meditation, sutra copying, and morning Buddhist services. These activities provide an opportunity to slow down, experience temple life, and spend time in a tranquil environment.
At night, the temple grounds are illuminated, creating a particularly atmospheric scene as the main hall and bell tower are surrounded by soft light.
Horinji holds a variety of Buddhist ceremonies and events throughout the year.
February 15: Nirvana Day Ceremony
April 3: Memorial Service for the Founder
May 8: Buddha’s Birthday Celebration
August: Segaki Memorial Service for Hungry Spirits
August 19: Founder’s Memorial Service
October 5: Bodhidharma Memorial Service
December 8: Bodhi Day Ceremony
December 31: New Year’s Eve Bell Ceremony
On New Year’s Eve, the sound of the temple bell resonates throughout the grounds as visitors gather to participate in the traditional ceremony welcoming the arrival of the new year.
Throughout its long history, Horinji has overcome repeated challenges while continuing to support the faith and daily lives of the local community. Today, it serves not only as a place where valuable cultural properties are preserved, but also as a destination where visitors can experience temple lodging, Zen practices, and traditional Buddhist culture.
The quiet temple grounds offer the peaceful atmosphere characteristic of a Zen temple and provide visitors with a chance to step away from the pace of everyday life.
When visiting Chiyoda Town in Gunma Prefecture, Horinji is a fascinating destination for experiencing the region’s history, Buddhist culture, traditional architecture, and the spirit of Zen.