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. Shinran wrote the "Takada Mado" and often sent letters of instruction and books copied by himself to Kyoto. These teaching form the basis of the "Takada school" within the Jōdo Shinshū sect. Shinran resided here for seven years before returning to Kyoto, and his followers made it an important center in spreading his teachings in eastern Japan. It declined after Shinran's death until revived in the middle of the 15th century as the teachings of
Rennyo gained in popularity. It was destroyed by fire during the
Sengoku period, and although rebuilt in the
Edo period, leadership of its branch of the Jōdo Shinshū sect had shifted to the Honzan temple in
Mie Prefecture. Several of the temple's buildings are designated as
National Important Cultural Properties. File:Honji-Senju-ji Nyoraido.JPG|Nyorai-do, built 1701, ICP File:Honji-Senju-ji Romon.JPG| Rōmon, built 1688-1703, ICP File:Honji-Senju-ji Somon.JPG| Sōmon, built 1615-1660, ICP ==Senju-ji Honzan==