Konzenji Temple in Tsuruga: Fukui

The historical temple which was once a HQ of Nitta Army

By Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

The statue of Kobo-Daishi (Kukai) and the five-storied pagoda at the foot of the hill

The main temple building was rebuilt in 1989

Konzenji Temple grounds at the foot of the hill

A small five-storied pagoda is a memorial tower to pray for the souls of victims of natural disasters worldwide

The statue of Fudo-Myo-O with forest in the background

Close up look at the five-storied pagoda, which was built in 2005

Konzenji Temple is located at the foot of Mt. Kanegasaki, which has a commanding view of the port of Tsuruga. Since it was on the way to Kanegasaki Shrine and the Castle Ruins, I decided to drop by without knowing its significance. As it turned out, this temple was once located in the place where Kanegasaki Shrine now stands, and when the fierce battle was fought between the Ashikaga Army (Northern Court) and the Nitta Army (Southern Court) in 1337, this temple was made the headquarters of the Nitta Army! Konzenji was founded more than a millennium ago, in 736, by Taicho, and received visits from both Kobo-Daishi (Kukai) in 811 and the famous poet Matsuo Basho in 1689 (please see this other photo story). In 1662, the temple was moved to the current location, but centuries later all temple buildings were destroyed by bombings during WWII, thus, every building here is relatively new.