Visitors wishing to tour Jushō-in Temple or pay respects at Lord Mitsunari’s gravesite must make a reservation in advance.
Admission: ¥1,000 (includes guidance by the chief priest)
Please make your reservation by our inquiry form.
Jushō-in Temple was founded in 1599 by Mitsunari Ishida as the family temple for his father, Masatsugu Ishida, with the distinguished Zen master Hakuhō as its first abbot. At the time, the temple grounds were four times their present size, surrounded by moats and earthen walls, with a magnificent main hall and a guest hall roofed in gilded tiles, said to resemble the Ishida family’s Kyoto residence.
Mitsunari is remembered as the rival of Ieyasu Tokugawa in the struggle for control of Japan. In 1600, he led the Western Army in the Battle of Sekigahara—often called “The Battle that Decided the Fate of the Nation”—but was defeated, leading to the unification of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. Following this loss, Jushō-in was reduced to one-quarter of its original size. The former north gate of Jushō-in Temple became the main north gate of Myōshin-ji Temple, and the current main gate once served as the temple’s side entrance.
The temple buildings were later rebuilt. But the garden, attributed to the famed painter Kanō Eitoku, has retained its Momoyama-period design, including the gourd-shaped pond created at Mitsunari’s request, inspired by the battle standard of his lord, Hideyoshi Toyotomi.
The Main Hall
Temple Kitchen
the garden attributed to Kanō Eitoku
"Daiichi-Daiman-Daikichi" Mitsunari’s Battle Standard
“If one serves for the sake of all, and all serve for the sake of one, the people of the realm will find happiness and good fortune.” This spirit reflected Mitsunari’s ideal of mutual devotion and harmony.
Mitsunari Ishida was born in 1559 in present-day Ishida Town, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture. In his youth, he encountered Hideyoshi Toyotomi, who was then the lord of Nagahama Castle under Oda Nobunaga. Their first meeting is remembered in the famous anecdote known as “Three Cups of Tea.”
One day, while out hawking, Hideyoshi stopped at Kannon-ji Temple to rest and quench his thirst. The young Mitsunari happened to be there and offered him tea. The first cup was served in a large bowl with lukewarm tea, which Hideyoshi drank quickly. When Hideyoshi asked for another, Mitsunari poured a smaller amount of warmer tea. Upon Hideyoshi’s request for a third cup, Mitsunari served a small bowl of hot tea.
Had the first cup been hot, Hideyoshi—parched from his outing—would not have been able to enjoy it fully. By gradually increasing the temperature and reducing the amount, Mitsunari first quenched his guest’s thirst, then allowed him to savor the tea’s flavor.
Impressed by this thoughtful hospitality, Hideyoshi invited Mitsunari to become his retainer.
The third chief priest, Zen Master Sōkyō, erected this memorial tower enshrining a lock of Lord Mitsunari’s hair. Today, nine members of the Ishida family rest peacefully within the quiet grounds of Jushō-in.
Visits to the memorial tower require a reservation. Please contact us in advance by Contact Form.
