Kinryu-ji (Azumino)
| Kinryū-ji (金龍寺) | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Zen Buddhism |
| Sect | Rinzai |
| District | Azumino City |
| Prefecture | Nagano |
| Active | |
| Status | Active temple |
| Location | |
| Country | Japan |
Interactive map of Kinryū-ji (金龍寺) | |
| Prefecture | Nagano |
| Architecture | |
| Established | 1878 (reestablished) |
Kinryū-ji (金龍寺) is a temple of the Myōshin-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.[1][2] Its mountain name is Jōgosan (乗護山). The temple is notable for its historical significance, connection to the local Mamabe clan, and as a site for the production and sale of Daruma dolls.
Overview
Although the temple is said to have origins dating back to the Kamakura period, the present-day Kinryū-ji was reestablished in 1878 with permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was officially registered as a religious corporation on November 25, 1952.[3]
The temple grounds are located on the site of the second enclosure of the Mamabe clan residence, a branch family of the Nishina clan, a powerful local family that ruled much of Azumi District during the Sengoku period. Apart from the slightly elevated terrain and remnants of moats, little remains to evoke its former appearance.[4][5]
Near the main gate and approach, many stone monuments remain. Particularly well known are the numerous stone statues of Kannon, said to have been created in 1842, collectively known as the "Hundred Kannon Statues".[6][7][8]
At the temple, Daruma dolls are produced. A Daruma Market is held every year in early January, and Daruma dolls are sold year-round.[9] For this reason, the temple is also known as a "Daruma Temple".
Monument of Inejirō Asanuma
Within the temple grounds stands a stone monument bearing the inscription "Nichinichi kore kōnichi" ("Every day is a good day") by Inejirō Asanuma. The inscription reproduces calligraphy that Asanuma wrote on 4 September 1960, a little over a month before he was assassinated, when he gave a lecture at this temple.[10][11]
The inscription remains a symbol of Asanuma’s dedication to promoting peace and social justice. After his death, which shocked Japan and the international community, local residents who had attended the lecture erected the monument in his memory.[10][11]
References
- ↑ "安曇野の秋 | 安曇野市豊科郷土博物館公式ブログ". 安曇野市豊科郷土博物館公式ブログ (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2024-12-10. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ↑ "安曇野市豊科金龍寺｜墓石のことなら良心価格で|お墓の吉祥". www.kissho-net.co.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ↑ "www.pref.nagano.lg.jp" (PDF). www.pref.nagano.lg.jp. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ↑ "真々部氏館（安曇野市指定史跡） – 長野県安曇野市豊科高家". 家系譜.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ "信濃真々部氏館". oshiro-tabi-nikki.com. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ "一般社団法人 長野県観光機構". 一般社団法人 長野県観光機構 (in Japanese). 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ↑ "金龍寺 - 安曇野の風景写真 ビューポイントあづみの". azumino.nagapic.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- ↑ "金龍寺の百体観音 | _建築・土木 | _建築・土木 | トリップアイデア". Go NAGANO 長野県公式観光サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ↑ "安曇野イベント情報｜国営アルプスあづみの公園". www.azumino-koen.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
- 1 2 "一定期間更新がないため広告を表示しています". toyohaku.jugem.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-30.
- 1 2 "2023.5.31みすず野 | 連載･特集 | 株式会社市民タイムス". www.shimintimes.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
Further reading
- Kubota, Masayuki. Pilgrimage to One Hundred Kannon Sacred Sites: Matsumoto Basin, Azumino, and Nishina no Sato (Japanese: 『松本平・安曇野・仁科の里 観音札所百番めぐり』). Shinano Mainichi Shimbun Publishing, 2021.
External links
- Sengoku Azumino IV: Kinryū-ji and the Ruins of the Manabe Clan Residence – Fūraitei Photo Journal: Contains photographs and transcriptions of the explanatory signboard located within the temple precincts.
- Nagao Castle in Shinano Province – Midway down the page is an explanation of the Manabe clan residence (Shinano Province), including a reference to Kinryū-ji.