Founding and Historical Development
According to tradition, Sofukuji was founded during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). After falling into disrepair, the temple was relocated and restored by Saito Toshimasa in 1511. It was renamed in 1517.
Another account states that the temple was established in 1469 by Toki Shigeyori and Saito Nagahiro, with its first head priest taking up his position in 1493. These differing accounts reflect the complex history of the temple’s origins.
Oda Nobunaga and Sofukuji Temple
In 1567, Oda Nobunaga defeated Saito Tatsuoki, the grandson of Saito Dosan, and took control of Mino Province, the historical region that roughly corresponds to southern Gifu Prefecture. Following this victory, Sofukuji became the Oda family’s Buddhist memorial temple.
In 1582, Nobunaga and his eldest son, Nobutada, were killed during the Honnoji Incident, when Akechi Mitsuhide turned against Nobunaga. Nobunaga’s concubine, known as Onabe-no-kata, brought personal belongings of the two men to Sofukuji and arranged for their memorial tablets to be enshrined there. These tablets are preserved at the temple to this day.
Oda Hidenobu and the Battle of Gifu Castle
In 1600, during the Battle of Sekigahara, Oda Hidenobu, Nobunaga’s grandson, supported the Western Army. Gifu Castle fell during the campaign.
To commemorate the soldiers who died in the battle and pray for their repose, floorboards from Gifu Castle were reused as the ceiling of Sofukuji’s main hall. The ceiling is known as the Bloodstained Ceiling, and traces believed to be bloodstains can still be seen on the boards.
Protection During the Edo Period
During the Edo period (1603–1868), Sofukuji received official protection and flourished as a temple granted shuinchi, land whose income was secured under the shogunate’s authority. It also became a place of prayer for the Arisugawa-no-miya Imperial family and received special protection from Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Main Highlights
Mausoleum of Oda Nobunaga and Oda Nobutada
Located behind the main hall, this mausoleum commemorates Nobunaga and his son, Nobutada. It is designated as a historic site by Gifu City.
The stone monument is shaped like a Buddhist memorial tablet and measures approximately 139 centimeters high, 39 centimeters wide, and 30 centimeters thick. The Buddhist posthumous names of the father and son are engraved on it. Their memorial tablets are also enshrined in the temple’s memorial tablet hall.
The Bloodstained Ceiling
The ceiling of the main hall incorporates floorboards from Gifu Castle, where soldiers died during the conflict of 1600. The boards were installed to honor the dead and pray for their souls. Marks believed to be bloodstains remain visible, making this one of the temple’s most striking historical features.
Historical Exhibits and Autumn Foliage
The temple houses valuable historical materials related to its past and its connections with the Oda family. Its well-maintained garden is another attraction, especially in autumn, when the leaves of the dodan-tsutsuji shrubs turn vivid shades of red.
Annual Memorial Ceremony
On the first Saturday of October each year, Sofukuji holds a memorial ceremony honoring Oda Nobunaga in conjunction with the Gifu Nobunaga Festival. The temple is opened to visitors free of charge during the festival’s two-day program, offering a special opportunity to explore this historic site.
Experience the History of Japan’s Warring States Period
Sofukuji Temple offers a direct connection to some of the most dramatic episodes in Japanese history. From the memorial tablets of Oda Nobunaga and his son to the remarkable ceiling made from Gifu Castle floorboards, the temple preserves tangible reminders of the turbulent Sengoku period and the Battle of Sekigahara. Its historic buildings, Buddhist traditions, and seasonal garden make it a worthwhile stop for visitors interested in Japan’s samurai heritage.