Yoshino-cho
Nyoirin-ji Temple


Heian Period
Tragic Stories Associated with Mt. Yoshino in War Chronicles

This temple was constructed between 901 and 922 and designated as a temple to pray for guardianship of the country by the order of Emperor Go-Daigo (1288-1339). The emperor ran the campaign to restore imperial rule (the Kemmu Restoration) and later established the court in Yoshino (Southern Court) in rivalry with the court in Kyoto (Northern Court). There remains the door of the hall on which a farewell poem was inscribed with an arrowhead by Kusunoki Masatsura, a son of Kusunoki Masashige (supporter of Emperor Go-Daigo), before he went to the front of the Shijonawate battle. The door is now kept in the treasure house. There is also the Motodori-zuka mound under which is buried some hair of Masatsura and his followers.
The statue of Zao-Gongen in the treasure house was created in 1226. The statue is designated a national important cultural property. Made of hinoki cypress by assembling pieces of wood (yosegizukuri construction method), this brilliantly colored statue is a lively expression of the indignation of god Zao-Gongen, the existence of which En no Gyoja, the founder of Kimpusen-ji Temple, perceived incorporeally at Sanjogatake around the summit of the mountain.

Source: The Yoshino municipal government

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