Daiun-in was founded in 1587 (the 15th year of the Tensho Period) by Emperor Ogimachi’s order to pray for the souls of *Oda Nobunaga and his son Nobutada.
*Oda Nobunaga was a military commander who played a significant role in nearly unifying Japan through force during the late 15th to late 16th centuries, a period characterized by internal conflicts. He came close to achieving complete unification but lost his life due to a rebellion by his subordinates. He remains one of the most popular and well-known military leaders in Japanese history.
According to the “Daiun-in Shiko,” created by the Kyoto Prefectural Office in 1894 (the 27th year of the Meiji Period), the founding history of Daiun-in is summarized as follows.
“Nobunaga repaired Oike Imperial Palace (Nijo New Imperial Palace) and presented it to Prince Sanehito. However, because of Akechi Mitsuhide’s rebellion, Nobunaga died at Honnoji Temple, and Nobutada died at Oike Imperial Palace. Emperor Ogimachi deeply felt pity for the tragic end of the father and son, and sought a wise and virtuous priest to pray for their souls. He learned that Teian, who lived in Jokyo-ji Temple in Kyoto, was highly regarded by Nobunaga. Thus, the emperor invited Teian to the imperial palace and granted him Oike Imperial Palace and ordered him to use it as a temple to commemorate Nobunaga and Nobutada.”
Oda Nobunaga
The temple was named “Daiun-in” after Nobutadaa’s posthumous name “Daiun-in den sanbon urin sengan daikoji,” which came from his untimely end by Akechi Mitsuhide’s rebellion. The mountain name, “Ryuchi-zan,” came from “Ryuyakuchi Pond” with the abundant spring water in Oike Imperial Palace. Thus, the close relationship between Oda Nobunaga, Emperor Ogimachi and Teian led to the foundation of Daiun-in.
Statue of Oda Nobutada
Cenotaph of Oda Nobunaga and Nobutada
