Jōryūji (常立寺)

Joryuji (常立寺)

Joryuji (常立寺) is a Buddhist temple in the Katase District of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.  Originally part of the Shingon sect, it was later converted to a Nichiren Shu temple by Nichigo.

The temple is known for Genshi-zuka (元使塚), a memorial stele commemorating five envoys from the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty.  These envoys arrived in Japan in 1275, a year after the first Mongol invasion, carrying a letter demanding Japan's submission.  They were executed at the Tatsunokuchi Execution Ground on September 7, 1275.

Genshi-zuka (元使塚)

Sanmon of Joryuji

Over the years, Joryuji has been visited by several notable Mongolians.  On March 1, 2007, Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar visited the temple.  Mongolian sumo wrestlers have also visited the site, including Asashoryu and Hakuho on April 15, 2005, and Terunofuji, Kirishima, and Hoshoryu with the Mongolian ambassador on April 12, 2024.

Joryuji is also known for its Japanese plum blossoms, which bloom around this time of year.

The temple is one of the Ryukoji Rinban Hachikaji (龍口寺輪番八ヶ寺), a group of eight temples in the Katase and Koshigoe districts that once took turns managing Ryukoji (龍口寺).