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Senju-ji

Buddhist temple in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

Architectural plans, a scale model, maps and brass measuring instruments
Places and architectureInterpretive dossier study · Crown Archives visual atlas
Record originEnglish Wikipedia
Text licenseCC BY-SA 4.0
Source revisionAug 1, 2026
Entity authorityQ3478562
Source-derived summary

Senju-ji (専修寺), also known as Takadayama (高田山), refers to a pair of temples which are the chief Buddhist temples of the Takada branch of Jōdo Shinshū, a Japanese Buddhist sect. The current head temple, Honan Senju-ji, founded in the 15th century, is located in Mie Prefecture. The original head temple, Hon-ji Senju-ji, founded in 1225, is located in Tochigi Prefecture. Both temples are governed by the same abbot.

Senju-ji Hon-ji

Hon-ji Senju-ji (本寺専修寺) was founded by Shinran, the founder of the Jōdo Shinshū sect in 1225. According to legend, a child appeared to Shinran and presented him with seeds and a staff, which he planted in this place to establish the temple. According to historical documentation, Senju-ji was constructed with the patronage of the Ōuchi clan, rulers of Mooka Castle, to enshrine a Zenko-ji-style Amida triad, and was entrusted to Shinbutsu, one of Shinran's closest disciples. The temple was Number 2 on a pilgrimage route of 24 temples associated with the sect in eastern Japan. Shinran resided and preached here after returning from exile in Echigo.

Soon after its founding, Senju-ji was named an imperial temple (chokuganji) and Shinran made it the center of his activities.

Editorial summary

The public source identifies “Senju-ji” as buddhist temple in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Senju-ji, Buddhist and temple.

Editorial reviewA valuable geographic starting point for tracing changing names, boundaries, uses and administrative responsibility. The current lead gives the account dated anchors—1225—that can be checked directly. The linked authority record independently contributes the date 1225. Its value is orientation rather than verdict, with Senju-ji, Buddhist and temple providing the first useful test.
Editorial analysis

Why this record matters

A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Senju-ji”, the useful work is to connect “buddhist temple in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.

Evidence profile

Maps, plans, fabric surveys and administrative records can establish how the site’s name, extent and function changed over time. The source revision retrieved here is dated Aug 1, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q3478562. Authority coordinates are 36.394, 140.023. 2 of 3 selected statements include explicit references; 1 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1225.

Critical limits

A single description cannot reconcile every naming convention, rebuilding phase or administrative transfer associated with a place. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.

How to read it

Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.

Best used for
  • Historic place names
  • Jurisdictional context
  • Routes into maps and plans
Verify next

Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.

Three-step research path

  1. Establish the record: confirm the title “Senju-ji”, its source revision and the description used here.
  2. Expand the search: follow Senju-ji primary sources, Senju-ji archive and Senju-ji research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
  3. Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.

Questions for further research

  1. Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Senju-ji”?
  2. What physical evidence or contemporary plan supports the description?
  3. Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
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Source & attribution

This entry incorporates text from Senju-ji” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.