Seihaku-ji was founded by
Ashikaga Takauji in 1333 AD to pray for peace in the nation following the destruction of the
Kamakura shogunate by Ashikaga forces in the
Battle of Kamakura. Its founding priests were close disciples of
Musō Soseki, and the temple's construction was supported by donations raised by
Engaku-ji in Kamakura. Although
Erin-ji in
Kōshū was founded in 1330 by Musō Soseki himself, Saihaku-ji grew to become the leading temple of the Musō school in
Kai Province during the
Muromachi period. It transferred its allegiance to
Kenchō-ji in Kamakura during the Muromachi period, and to Myōshin-ji in the early
Edo period. Most of the temple burned down in 1682, with the exception of the
Butsuden. ==Cultural properties==