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History of Zuiganji Temple

The official name of Zuiganji Temple is “Shoto Seiryuzan Zuiganempukuzenji（松島青龍山瑞巌円福禅寺）”. This is a Zen temple of the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect.

It is said that it began at Empukuji Temple（延福寺）, the Tendai sect temple founded by “Jikaku Daishi Ennin（慈覚大師円仁)”. in the early 9th century. In later years, the Oshu Fujiwara clan, who ruled the Tohoku region from Hiraizumi, also protected Empukuji. After the Fujiwara clan of Oshu was destroyed, the Kamakura shogunate became its guardian.

However, in the mid-13th century, the Kamakura shogunate, “Hojo Tokiyori（北条時頼）”, converted it to the Kenchoji school of the Rinzai sect. He appointed “Hosshin Shosai（法身性西）” as a chief monk, and the name was changed to Empukuji（円福寺）. Empukuji Temple reached the height of its prosperity, but gradually declined throughout the Sengoku period. It belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect, which spread throughout the country at the end of the 16th century.

After the Battle of Sekigahara, “Date Masamune（伊達政宗）” actively built shrines and temples that served as a place for people's hearts. Masamune especially put effort into rebuilding Empukuji Temple. Masamune's enthusiasm is reflected in the fact that he himself established the territory of the temple, sought wood from Kumano, Kishu, known as the "Pure Land" since the Heian period, and invited 130 master craftsmen from the Kinai region.
Construction began in 1604, and the large bell cast in 1608 bears the inscription, "This temple was named Zuigan."Later, the temple's official name became“Shoto Seiryuzan Zuiganempukuzenji（松島青龍山瑞巌円福禅寺）”It was completed in 1609.
The wall paintings that decorate each room in the main hall were created between 1620 and 1622.

The hondo(main temple building) and kuri(living quarter) have been designated as national treasures as valuable structures that preserve the art of the Momoyama period.

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