The Rise and Fall of the Kaga Three Temples

Summary:

The Kaga Three Temples were three major temples headed by Rennyo’s sons, who governed the Kaga area. However, a war began between another of Rennyo’s sons and the Kaga three temple sons. This led to the defeat of the three temples. Following this the Kanazawa Gobo Temple was established, where monks were sent from Honganji Temple to rule the area. The area of Torigoe appears to have formed during this time by followers of the Honganji Temple Jōdo Shinshū sect.

Torigoe and the Followers of Honganji Temple

From diary entries written by Shōnyo, the 10th head priest of Honganji Temple, it’s been hypothesized that there were a number of Honganji Temple network temples in the Torigoe area. In the diary, the names of multiple village lords in the Torigoe area were mentioned, suggesting that Torigoe was formed from Jōdo Shinshū followers. 

Hierarchy of the Honganji Temple in Kaga

History of the Honganji Temple in Kaga

After the Chōkyō Uprising in 1488, when Togashi Masachika was overthrown by the local followers of Honganji Temple, the Kaga area became known as the "Kingdom of Peasants." At the top of the hierarchy was Honganji Temple, however the Kaga Three Temples, headed by three of Rennyo’s sons, held majority of the control, underneath the puppet leader Yasutaka (Masachika’s uncle). 

The three temples were Honsenji Temple in Kahoku District (Kanazawa City), headed initially by Rennyo’s 2nd son Renjo, followed by his 7th son Rengo; Shōkōji Temple in Nomi District (Komatsu City), headed by 3rd son Renko; and Kōkyōji Temple in Enuma District (Kaga City), headed by 4th son Rensei. Later, Gantokuji Temple was established in Ishikawa District (Hakusan City, Tsurugi) by 7th son Rengo, then later taken over by his 10th son Jitsugo. This placed direct descendants of Rennyo in power of all four districts of Kaga, allowing full reign over the area and subsequent subordinate temples and organizations that were created. 

Out of Rennyo’s 13 sons, only the sons of his first and second wives (up to his 7th son) were revered. His 1st son died relatively young. His 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th sons (and later including his 10th son) were dispatched to Hokuriku to head the Kaga Three Temples. His 5th son went on to become the 9th head of the Honganji Temple, leaving his 6th son Renjun, to be sent to head the Kenshōji Temple in the Kinai region (Nara Prefecture). In this position, Renjun then became guardian to the underage 10th head of the Honganji Temple, Shōnyo, and received a lot of power. 

After Renjun sent an order to the Kaga area, pretending to be from Shōnyo, the Kaga Three Temples condemned his actions causing Renjun to start a war with his brothers. Eventually he was able to overthrow all three temples. Following this the Kanazawa Gobo Temple (Oyama Gobo) was established in 1546, under the direct control of Honganji Temple, and trusted monks were sent to govern the area.