From Hinokicho Park to Mori Tower: Contemporary Art in Roppongi

In 1626, this site was where Sugenin, the lawful wife of the 2nd shogun Hidetada, was cremated. The temple was granted this land in recognition of its service in conducting the funeral, and later relocated here.

Before the war, Roppongi was a soldiers' town where military facilities were located. The 3rd Infantry Regiment was stationed in Ryudo-cho, and it also sent participants to the February 26 Incident of 1936.

During the Meiji-era haibutsu kishaku (anti-Buddhist movement), the temple fell into near abandonment, but the chief priest's prayer rituals became well known, and it was revived as the "Azabu Kishimojin." The temple buildings were burned down in the air raids of 1945, but the statue of the founding priest was saved.

This was the site of the upper residence of the Mori clan of Chōfu Domain, where 10 of the Akō Rōshi were placed in custody after their raid and committed seppuku here in 1703. Nogi Maresuke was later born at this domain residence.