Unryuji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Shimohayakawada-cho, Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture. Founded in the 16th century, the temple has long served as a place of Buddhist faith for the local community, while its peaceful grounds preserve a sense of history that stretches back for centuries.
Unryuji is also closely associated with the Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Incident, one of the most significant pollution-related events in modern Japanese history. During the Meiji period, politician and social activist Shozo Tanaka used the temple as a base for efforts to address the devastating effects of mining pollution. Today, Unryuji is an important historical site for learning about both Japan’s environmental history and the development of social movements.
Unryuji is traditionally said to have been founded in 1553 by a retainer of the Hayakawada clan. As a Soto Zen temple, it has long been respected as a family temple by people in the surrounding area.
The present main hall was built in 1843, during the late Edo period. Its architecture provides a glimpse into the religious buildings of that era. Having witnessed numerous events throughout its long history, the temple remains an important part of Tatebayashi’s cultural and historical heritage.
Unryuji became particularly well known because of its connection with the Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Incident during the Meiji period. Toxic substances released from the Ashio Copper Mine upstream on the Watarase River contaminated the river and caused serious damage to farmland and the natural environment downstream. Many farming communities lost the foundations of their livelihoods, turning the issue into a major social and political problem.
One of the leading figures who worked to address the problem was Shozo Tanaka, a politician from present-day Tochigi Prefecture. As a member of the House of Representatives, Tanaka brought the suffering of pollution victims to the attention of the national government and continued campaigning for measures including the suspension of operations at the Ashio Copper Mine.
In 1896, Tanaka established the Tochigi-Gunma Mining Pollution Affairs Office at Unryuji, making the temple a base for people affected by the pollution. Farmers from Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, and Ibaraki prefectures gathered here and organized campaigns seeking a solution to the problem.
As a result, Unryuji became one of the important centers of the movement opposing the pollution and seeking relief for affected communities.
In February 1900, farmers suffering from mining pollution organized a large petition movement with the aim of appealing directly to the government in Tokyo. Approximately 2,500 farmers gathered at Unryuji before setting out toward the capital.
However, when the group reached Kawamata Village, in what is now Meiwa Town, Gunma Prefecture, they were confronted by police. Many of the farmers were arrested in what became known as the Kawamata Incident.
The incident is regarded as an important episode in the history of Japanese social movements. Unryuji is remembered as the starting point of this historic campaign and continues to convey the experiences of the people who suffered from pollution and sought justice.
Shozo Tanaka died in 1913 at the age of 71 after devoting many years to the cause of people affected by mining pollution. Following his death, communities in areas affected by the pollution wished to receive portions of his remains in recognition of his work.
His remains were therefore divided among several locations, and Unryuji became one of the places where part of his remains was interred. A grave dedicated to Tanaka stands within the temple grounds, where visitors can pay their respects and learn about his legacy.
Other memorial graves associated with Tanaka can be found at temples in areas affected by the pollution, including Soshuji Temple, also known as Sano Yakuyoke Daishi, and Jorenji Temple in Sano City. These sites reflect the respect and gratitude that many people held for Tanaka.
The temple grounds are also home to Kyugendo Hall. The building was constructed in 1933, the seventh anniversary of Tanaka’s death.
The name “Kyugendo” is associated with words attributed to Tanaka in his later years: the idea of saving the present and helping people as they truly are. A wooden statue of Shozo Tanaka is enshrined inside the building, preserving the memory of his ideals and activities for future generations.
Every year on October 4, Unryuji holds a memorial ceremony commemorating Shozo Tanaka and his work. Local residents, researchers, and others connected with the history of the pollution issue take part in the event, making it an opportunity to reflect on Tanaka’s ideals and pass knowledge of the Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Incident on to future generations.
At the same time, Unryuji continues to serve its traditional role as a Buddhist temple. It remains a familiar place of worship for local residents, where everyday religious life exists alongside memories of important historical events.
Although Unryuji is a peaceful Buddhist temple, it is deeply connected with the history of modern Japan. Through its links with the Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Incident and Shozo Tanaka, visitors can learn about Japan’s early environmental problems, the experiences of affected farming communities, and the history of social movements.
Walking through the temple grounds offers an opportunity to reflect on the hardships faced by people at the time and their efforts to seek justice. When exploring Tatebayashi, Unryuji provides a different perspective on the region’s history alongside its castles, traditional townscape, and natural surroundings.
Unryuji Temple is approximately a 30-minute walk from either Watase Station or Tajima Station on the Tobu Sano Line.
By car, the temple is approximately 20 minutes from the Sano-Fujioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway. Located near the Watarase River, the temple can be visited as part of a historical walk combined with exploration of the surrounding natural landscape.