Senkoji Temple is a temple of the Honganji-ha branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Masuda, Shimane Prefecture. The temple has deep historical ties to the Masuda clan, who ruled this region from the medieval period into the early modern era.
For centuries, Senkoji stood at the heart of the Miyake Odoi, the former fortified residence of the Masuda clan. Although the temple was later relocated to allow the historic site to be properly preserved, its connection with the Masuda clan, local culture, and the people of the community remains an important part of its identity.
The origins of Senkoji can be traced back to the Sengoku period, an era of political conflict and powerful regional lords in Japan. In 1575, Masuda Fujikane, the 19th lord of the Masuda clan and lord of Nanao Castle, built an Amida Buddha hall within his residence.
The hall was named Shoryuzan Amidado and was regarded as a mausoleum for the ancestors of the Masuda family. It also served as a place where prayers were offered for the prosperity and continued success of the clan.
The political situation changed dramatically after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Masuda Motoyoshi, the 20th head of the clan, was transferred to Susa in present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the Masuda clan’s residence at Miyake Odoi was dismantled.
However, the retainers who remained in Masuda wished to preserve the place associated with their former lord. One of the central figures in this effort was Kimura Heizaemon Sukemitsu, a senior retainer of the Masuda family.
With the support of his fellow retainers, he traveled to Kyoto and obtained permission from Junnyo Shonin, the 12th head of Honganji, to establish a temple. The resulting temple was called Senkoan and eventually developed into what is now known as Shoryuzan Senkoji.
Senkoji was supported not only by former samurai and retainers but also by people from the surrounding community. Families including the Takahashi, Otani, Masuno, and Nakamura families are traditionally known as the “Five-Place Disciples” and are said to have played an important role in maintaining the temple.
At one point, the temple is believed to have had approximately 500 households of Buddhist followers. Its religious influence extended across a wide area from Izumo to Shimonoseki.
This history shows that Senkoji was more than a place of worship. It became an important part of the local community, connecting religious life, regional society, and the legacy of the former ruling clan.
Senkoji preserves numerous objects of historical and cultural significance. Among the most notable is the “Shaka and the Sixteen Guardian Deities”, a Buddhist painting designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Shimane Prefecture.
The painting was originally a treasured object of Shodataiji Temple, which served as the bettoji, or associated temple, of Someba Amenoiwakatsu Shrine. Its preservation at Senkoji provides valuable insight into the high level of religious art and culture that existed in medieval Masuda.
The temple also retains numerous other historical objects and furnishings. Together, these materials provide an important record of the religious and cultural history of the Masuda area.
Senkoji has served not only as a place of religious practice but also as a refuge for local residents. During floods and fires that occurred from the Taisho era through the Showa era, the temple accepted people seeking shelter and provided support to the surrounding community.
These episodes illustrate the close relationship that developed between Senkoji and local residents over the course of its history.
Several stories have been handed down about Kimura Sukemitsu, the retainer who played a key role in establishing Senkoji.
He was traditionally described as an exceptionally powerful warrior who could skillfully handle a powerful Japanese bow. Local tradition even portrayed him as a man possessing the strength of an “oni,” a supernatural ogre-like figure in Japanese folklore.
He is also said to have later changed his family name to Kimura. Stories of his strength and bravery have continued to be passed down as part of the local tradition surrounding the temple.
Senkoji has a particularly close connection with the Miyake Odoi Site, a designated National Historic Site. The site marks the former fortified residence of the Masuda clan, the medieval rulers of the region, and is traditionally believed to have been established by Masuda Kanemi, the clan’s 11th head, during the Northern and Southern Courts period.
Miyake Odoi was built on slightly elevated ground on the right bank of the Masuda River, across from Nanao Castle. It played an important role in controlling agricultural water supplies and the movement of goods through the region.
Near the end of the Sengoku period, the residence underwent major improvements under Masuda Motoyoshi, the 20th head of the clan.
The residence was surrounded by earthen embankments approximately 5 meters high and moats. Its overall dimensions were approximately 190 meters east to west and 110 meters north to south, making it exceptionally large for a medieval warrior residence. Its scale was roughly twice that of a typical samurai residence of the period and reflects the considerable power of the Masuda clan.
Archaeological excavations at the Miyake Odoi Site have uncovered ceramics, building remains, wells, and a blacksmithing workshop dating from the 12th through 16th centuries.
Among the discoveries are a wooden-framed well dating from the 13th century and the foundation stones of a building from the 16th century. These remains offer valuable clues about everyday life, craftsmanship, and political activity in medieval Masuda.
At the present-day Odoi Hiroba, portions of the former buildings and wells have been reconstructed. Walking through the site makes it possible to imagine how this large medieval residence may have looked centuries ago.
The Miyake Odoi Site was designated as a Shimane Prefectural Historic Site in 1972. In 2004, it was designated as part of the Masuda Clan Castle and Residence Sites, together with the Nanao Castle Site, as a National Historic Site.
As part of efforts to protect the archaeological remains, Senkoji was relocated from the historic residence site. A new temple building was completed in the Showa-machi area in 2011.
Although the temple has moved, its role as a place preserving and communicating the history and culture of Masuda continues. The connection between Senkoji and Miyake Odoi remains an important part of the area’s historical story.
Senkoji can be reached from JR Masuda Station by bus in approximately 10 minutes. Get off at the Honmachi Bus Stop, then walk for approximately 3 minutes.
Senkoji Temple and the Miyake Odoi Site offer a fascinating way to explore the history of Masuda from the medieval period to the present day. The story encompasses samurai families, Buddhist faith, local communities, and the everyday lives of people who lived here centuries ago.
As you walk through the quiet temple grounds and historic remains, take a moment to imagine the people who once lived, worshipped, worked, and governed in this area. Senkoji provides a valuable opportunity to discover the deeper layers of Masuda’s history and to understand how the city’s cultural heritage has been passed down to the present.