Zuishō-ji (瑞聖寺)

Bell tower

Zuisho-ji (瑞聖寺), formally known as Shiunzan Zuisho-ji (紫雲山瑞聖寺), is a Buddhist temple located in the Shirokanedai area of Minato-ku, Tokyo, near Shirokanedai Station. It was the first Obaku Zen temple established in Edo (modern-day Tokyo). During the Edo period (1603–1868), when new religions were strictly prohibited, the Obaku school was introduced as a rare exception, brought to Japan by the Chinese Ming-dynasty priest Ingen Ryuki (隱元隆琦, Yinyuan Longqi; 1592–1673).

The temple was founded in Kanbun 10 (1670) by Mokuan Shoto (木庵性瑫, Mu'an Xingtao; 1611–1684), a disciple of Ingen also from the Ming dynasty, and the following year its various halls were completed. Ingen and Mokuan were highly regarded for their calligraphy and are counted among the "Obaku no Sanpitsu" (黄檗の三筆) or the Three Great Calligraphers of the Obaku School.

The original temple complex suffered major damage in the fires of Kyoho 11 (1728) and Enkyo 2 (1745), but was rebuilt during the Bunka era (1804–1818).

Zuisho-ji also houses the graves of the parents of Hirobumi Ito (1841–1909), Japan's first prime minister.

Main hall

The temple's main hall and sanmon (temple gate) are designated Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.

Sanmon

The temple's U-shaped kuri (庫裡), which houses the temple office and guest hall, and the water pool were designed by Kengo Kuma and constructed in 2018.

Kuri and water pool

The temple is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.