Myosenji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism located in Mariyatsu, Kisarazu City, Chiba Prefecture. Its mountain name is Okurayama.
Founded during the Kamakura period, the temple has a long history of religious devotion. It is particularly known for its historic temple bell, which is designated as a cultural property by Chiba Prefecture, as well as the intriguing legend surrounding the bell.
Myosenji is located approximately 2.5 kilometers east of JR Makuta Station. Visitors travel through a quiet, nature-rich forest road before reaching the temple, which is surrounded by a peaceful rural landscape.
The temple is traditionally believed to have been founded by Keigan Eiin during the late Kamakura period. During the Sengoku period, it was restored and revitalized by Takeda Nobutaka, the lord of Mariyatsu Castle in Kazusa Province.
During the Edo period, Myosenji received a shuinjo, an official vermilion-seal certificate issued by the Tokugawa shogunate. The temple consequently held an important position in the local religious community and continued to be cherished by generations of residents.
Myosenji is said to have been founded by its founding priest, Keigan Eiin, during the Shōan era (1299–1302) in the late Kamakura period.
At the time, the area formed part of Kazusa Province, where religious and cultural traditions flourished. Myosenji developed as an important place of Buddhist practice in the region.
During the Sengoku period, Takeda Nobutaka, lord of Mariyatsu Castle, played an important role in the temple’s revival.
He is said to have supported Myosenji as a place for praying for peace and stability in the local area. Under his patronage, the temple further developed as a center of Soto Zen Buddhism.
During the Edo period, Myosenji received an official shuinjo from the Tokugawa shogunate. This enhanced the temple’s status and reinforced its importance within the local community.
In addition to serving as a center of religious faith, the temple contributed to the transmission of learning and culture in the surrounding area.
One of Myosenji’s most important treasures is its bronze temple bell, which was cast in 1459, during the Muromachi period.
The bell was originally intended to be dedicated to Junisho Gongen Hachiman in Saize District of Kazusa Province, an area corresponding to part of present-day Ichihara City. According to local tradition, however, an unusual series of events resulted in the bell remaining at Myosenji.
The bell retains many stylistic characteristics of Kamakura-period temple bells. Its elegant form and historical importance have led to its designation as a Chiba Prefecture cultural property.
The bell has distinctive marks that appear to have been made by a sword. According to legend, these marks are connected with a strange event that occurred when the bell was still at Junisho Gongen Hachiman.
It is said that the bell would make an eerie sound resembling the mooing of a cow late at night. The mysterious noise frightened the villagers, who did not know what was causing it.
One day, a powerful warrior came upon the bell and believed that it was possessed by a supernatural creature. He drew his sword and struck the bell in an attempt to silence it.
However, the strange sound continued. By chance, Keigan Eiin happened to pass by. He approached the bell and began reciting Buddhist sutras.
As soon as he began chanting, the mysterious sound suddenly stopped.
A few days later, a strange object resembling a cow was found lying near the gate of Myosenji. It was eventually discovered that the object was actually the temple bell itself.
According to the legend, this mysterious event led to the bell being brought to Myosenji, where it has been carefully preserved ever since.
Myosenji Temple can be reached from JR Makuta Station on foot or by car.
The temple is approximately 2.5 kilometers from the station. Following the forest road from the station leads into the quiet natural surroundings of the temple.
Okurayama Myosenji Temple offers a peaceful setting where visitors can experience the long history of Japanese Buddhism while enjoying the surrounding natural landscape.
The temple’s history stretches back to the Kamakura period, while its historic bronze bell dates from the Muromachi period. The unusual legend surrounding the bell adds a fascinating layer of folklore to the temple’s cultural heritage.
For travelers interested in Japanese Buddhism, medieval history, traditional temple treasures, and local legends, Myosenji provides an opportunity to discover a quieter side of Kisarazu away from the city’s main tourist attractions.