A temple in Aichi Prefecture will soon be demolished, ending 630 years of history.

Kyusho Temple in Konan City was established in 1384. It later became the family temple of the Ikoma samurai clan. The main temple building was built in 1925, but the temple kitchen building is thought to date from the Edo period.

The temple is famous for the grave of Kitsuno (1528-1566), a concubine of daimyo Oda Nobunaga. Upon her death, Nobunaga gave the area surrounding the temple to his son in order for Kitsuno’s grave to be protected. The Ikoma family gravesite, located on the western side of the temple will not be part of the land sale.

In recent years the owner, a religious organization operated by the 19th generation of the Ikoma clan, has struggled with maintaining the property. Nowadays, it is supported by just ten local parishioners. Earthquake retrofitting and roof repairs have proven too costly. 

After the temple is demolished, the land will be sold to the city and converted into a park. The city has budgeted 590,000 Yen to carry out land surveying and an appraisal. Demolition and the sale of the property is expected to take place sometime in 2022.

Location

47 Nonaka, Tashirocho, Konan City, Aichi Prefecture

Source: The Mainichi Shimbun, August 28, 2021.

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