History of Gukei-ji Temple
Origins and Early History
The origins of Gukei-ji date back to 1409, when a small hermitage called Muchaku-an was established in Haruki, Mino Province, in what is now the Mitake area of Mitake Town.
In 1428, the Zen master Giten Genshō, who later became the founding abbot of Ryōan-ji in Kyoto, moved the hermitage to Suzukagahora in Nakamura, now part of Mitake Town. The relocated temple was renamed Gukei-an, marking the beginning of the institution that would become Gukei-ji.
Giten Genshō was also known for his position as the fifth-generation abbot of Myōshin-ji. After receiving formal recognition in 1428, he returned to Mino Province, established the temple, and served as its supervising priest for 18 years.
Revival and Development During the Edo Period
In 1582, the Zen monk Ryūha Chūju became the temple’s resident priest and is regarded as its restorer. During this period, the temple flourished, and its beautiful dry landscape garden, the Garyū Sekitei, was developed.
In 1590, Tokugawa Ieyasu confirmed the temple’s landholdings of 40 koku of rice, and Gukei-ji subsequently received the protection of successive generations of the Tokugawa family.
The temple suffered two fires during the Keichō era (1596–1615). Its reconstruction was supported by Kumazawa Tadakatsu, who served as a local administrator in Shibamura at the time.
The Garyū Sekitei Dry Landscape Garden
The Garyū Sekitei is Gukei-ji’s most celebrated feature. This traditional Japanese dry landscape garden uses white gravel and carefully positioned stones to evoke natural forms without relying on a pond or flowing water. It is regarded as a possible prototype for the famous rock garden at Ryōan-ji in Kyoto.
The garden is laid out on level ground covered with white gravel. Today, it features three stones and a pine tree. According to tradition, the original arrangement consisted of seven stones positioned to represent a garyū, or a dragon lying low with its body stretched out.
The restrained composition invites quiet contemplation, allowing visitors to appreciate the relationship between the stones, gravel, and surrounding landscape.
The Temple Grounds and Cultural Heritage
The temple’s earlier buildings stood at Suzukagahora, but the site was affected by repeated landslides and problems caused by marshy ground. The temple was therefore relocated to its present location over a ten-year period, from 1839 to 1849.
The buildings that survive today were relocated and arranged during the Tenpō era (1830–1844), although the broader move to the current site continued until 1849. Gukei-ji continued to prosper after the relocation, preserving its garden, historical documents, and other cultural assets.
Important Historical Documents and Cultural Properties
Gukei-ji preserves a number of historically valuable documents and artworks. These include the Gukei-ji Ancient Documents, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture, as well as a portrait of the Zen monk Myōshuku Keishun.
Other important records include an official document issued by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, a donation document from Saitō Toshinaga, and prohibition notices associated with Toki Masafusa, Mori Tadamasa, and Ōkubo Nagayasu. These materials offer insights into the temple’s historical connections and the political and religious life of the region.
The nearby Takarazuka Kofun is also designated as a historic site by Gifu Prefecture.
The Two-Story Pagoda
Gukei-ji’s two-story pagoda, a type of Buddhist tower known as a tahōtō, was built during the late Edo period in the Tenpō era (1830–1844).
The master carpenter responsible for its construction was Nomura Sakujūrō Kunitada, a highly skilled shrine and temple carpenter from Mino. The pagoda reflects the craftsmanship of traditional Japanese wooden architecture and the region’s long-established building traditions.
Saishōken Tea Room and the Imperial Visit
Near the main hall stands Saishōken, a traditional tea room with a connection to the imperial history of the area.
In 1880, Emperor Meiji stayed at the Nishiura family’s residence in Tajimi during an imperial journey along the Nakasendō. Saishōken was used on that occasion. The temple’s 24th-generation head priest, Taigen Seidō, later purchased the tea room and had it relocated to Gukei-ji.
Today, the tea room serves as a reminder of the temple’s historical connections and the cultural traditions associated with the Nakasendō route.
Modern Restoration
In 2007, new construction work was carried out on the temple’s main hall and memorial tablet hall. These improvements helped maintain the temple grounds and ensure that Gukei-ji could continue welcoming visitors.
Experience Zen Culture and Historic Garden Design
Gukei-ji Temple offers visitors a glimpse into the history of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, traditional Japanese architecture, and the art of dry landscape gardening. Its Garyū Sekitei garden is particularly noteworthy for its association with Ryōan-ji in Kyoto and its distinctive arrangement of stones and gravel.
Beyond the garden, the temple’s historical documents, two-story pagoda, and Saishōken tea room reveal the rich cultural heritage of Mitake Town. For travelers exploring the Nakatsugawa, Ena, and Tajimi area of Gifu Prefecture, Gukei-ji is a rewarding destination for discovering Japan’s religious and artistic traditions.