In the latter half of the
Muromachi period, during the
Bunmei (1392–1573),
Rennyo(蓮如), the 8th head of
Hongan-ji Temple, stayed at
Yoshizaki-gobō in
Echizen Province, which led to a rapid increase in Shinshū followers in the
Hokuriku region, and the spread of Shinshū in earnest in the Gokayama area. The first to extend their teachings to the Gokayama region was in Echizen Province, and there was a monk named Jotoku(浄徳) from Akaodani who was a follower of Hongakuji Temple. The nephew of Jotoku was (赤尾道宗), a well-known
Myokonin, and Doshu is positioned as the founder of
Gyotoku-ji Temple. Although there are various traditions about Doso's origin and history in later times, there is no doubt that he was a contemporary of Rennyo, as he is often mentioned in Rennyo's writings. Gyotoku-ji Temple still retains a six-character name sign in Rennyo's handwriting, and it seems that the predecessor of Gyotoku-ji Temple was formed by equipping it with these name signs. In the “Kokoroe-nijyuichi-ka-jo(21rules)” which Doshu wrote on December 24, 1501, there is mention of a “
dojo(道場),” indicating that a dojo, the predecessor of Gyotoku-ji, had been established at least before 1501. In 1864, at the end of the
Edo period, the “
Kuri”(a kitchen) was reconstructed, and this Kuri is still in use today. Records of the construction of the Kuri remain, and like other buildings of the same period, it seems to have been done by a carpenter from
Himi. “Kuri”(a kitchen) of this temple using “
Gassho-zukuri” architecture was designated as a cultural asset by Nanto City. == Collection and Exhibition ==