The Fall of the Kaga Three Temples

Summary:

The 10th head priest of Honganji Temple, Shōnyo was underage when he took power, and his great uncle Renjun was appointed as his guardian. In this position Renjun gained immense power, and after an altercation with his brothers in the Kaga Three Temples, he worked together with ally temples and clans to overthrow them. 

Renjun’s Rise to Power

Jitsunyo (Rennyo’s 5th son) was the 9th head priest of Honganji Temple, and in February 1521, his son Ennyo passed away. Several years later in 1525, Jitsunyo himself passed away, and in his will he deemed that his 10-year-old grandson Shōnyo, was to became the 10th head priest, and that Shōnyo’s great uncle Renjun (Rennyo’s 6th son) would be responsible for his guardianship and upbringing. 

Renjun’s sons-in-law were Jikken of Chōshōji Temple and Shimotsuma Raishū. Renjun sent them to Kaga to deal with an issue regarding the lord of an influential manor. He issued an order under Shōnyo’s name, to replace the manor lord with one of Jikken’s men. As this order had been conducted without approval of the Kaga Three Temples – who acted as the leaders of Kaga – it greatly angered them. 

In May 1531, the Kaga Three Temples issued orders to attack Chōshōji Temple, however it was aided by Honkakuji Temple, and the conflict escalated. Renjun then sent an order to Chōshōji Temple and followers nationwide, claiming that the Kaga Three Temples had defied a direct order from the head priest, and should be attacked. In July, the Chōshōji and Honkakuji Temples conducted a surprise attack against the Shōkōji Temple in Hasadani (Komatsu City), and took hostage of Renko (Rennyo’s 3rd son), his son Renkei, and grandsons Jikkei and Keijo. Then with the addition of followers from Mikawa and Hida, led by Shimotsuma Raisei, the two temples fighting against the Kaga Three Temples were able to shift the balance in their favor. 

In August of 1531, the Kaga Three Temples were defeated, and the Kaga region came under the direct control of the Honganji Temple.

The Flag of the Shimotsuma Clan

Shimotsuma Nakayuki was one of the prominent retainers of Honganji Temple and led an uprising alongside the 11th head priest, Kennyo. This flag is said to have been worn on his armor during the battle.

Pictures Displayed in Exhibition:

Honganji Temple (top right)

Yamada Kōkyōji Temple Ruins Illustration (middle)

Shōkōji Temple (bottom right)