Souunji Temple

Overview

Souunji Temple is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple of the Daitoku-ji school located in Hakone-Yumoto, Ashigarashimo-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kingyu-zan, and its principal image is Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha). Famous as the family temple of Hojo Soun (Ise Moritoki), a prominent warlord of the Sengoku period, its history stretches back to its founding in 1521 (the first year of the Daiei era). According to tradition, it was built by Hojo Ujitsuna, Soun's son, who invited Iten Sosei, the 83rd abbot of Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, to preside over its construction. However, records from Daitoku-ji indicate that Iten Sosei was in Kyoto during the first year of Daiei, leaving some uncertainty about the exact founding year. Souunji Temple houses numerous valuable cultural properties, including the "Silk Painting of Hojo Soun" and the "Lacquered Writing Desk and Inkstone Box," both designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan, and the "Color Portrait of Hojo Ujiyasu," a designated prefectural cultural property. Visitors can also see the graves of five generations of the Hojo clan and a stele commemorating the renga (linked verse) poet So-gi. Souunji Temple is recommended for history buffs and anyone seeking a tranquil space for reflection. Be sure to visit when you are in Hakone-Yumoto.