About Jodoji Temple
Greeting
Along with advances in science and technology, many things in our daily lives have become remarkably convenient. On the other hand, problems such as loneliness caused by weakening community ties and the breakdown of families, as well as suicide, have not ceased.
Buddhism has long been carefully passed down as teachings that people can rely on in living their lives. These teachings have been preached in every era for those who suffer and struggle. Today, I believe the role that Buddhist teachings—and the temples that convey them—play in society is significant.
Jodoji Temple is a temple that has long played a central role in the local community. While valuing the good traditions of the past, we continue each day striving to be a temple that can respond to people’s many sufferings and questions. Please feel free to visit and pay your respects.
Head Priest — Michiro hemmi
After graduating from Ryukoku University, he worked at Nippon Television Network on program production such as “Shukyo no Jikan (Time for Religion)” and “An-chan,” and then became the 30th head priest of Jodoji Temple. He has served as a Director and Councilor of the Buddhist Promoting Association (Public Interest Foundation), and also as a Director and Secretary-General of the India local法人 of the International Buddhist Association (Public Interest Foundation), and as Chairman of the Shonan Aftercare Association (Social Welfare Corporation).
Deputy Priest — Yoshinari hemmi
He graduated from the School of Literature, Waseda University, and completed graduate studies at Ryukoku University. Ph.D. in Literature (specialty: Shinran thought). Part-time lecturer at Ryukoku University / part-time lecturer at Osaka Ohtani University / research fellow at Sogakuin.
History of Jodoji Temple
Jodoji Temple is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha (Nishi Hongwanji, “Onishi”) tradition, with Shinran Shonin as its founder. It was established as a Tendai temple by the Kamakura-period military leader Shigetada Hatakeyama. In the Muromachi period, during the time of the 11th head priest of Jodoji, the temple devoted itself to Rennyo Shonin and became Jodo Shinshu. The main hall was built in 1712 (Shotoku 2) and is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Yokosuka City, with more than 300 years of history. At the end of the Showa era, major restoration work was carried out for seismic reinforcement and foundation strengthening, and it has remained in its present form to this day.
The Temple Bell Returned from the United States
Jodoji Temple’s temple bell was requisitioned in the late stages of the war under military orders. Fortunately, it escaped being melted down, but it was transported by the U.S. military to Atlanta, Georgia. Later, a Japanese woman living in Atlanta deciphered the temple name “Jodoji” from the characters engraved on the bell. After the Mayor of Atlanta declared, “Return it to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Japan–U.S. friendship, as a token of goodwill,” the Rotary Clubs in Japan and the United States, along with the cooperation of the U.S. Navy, carried it across the Pacific on a naval vessel, and it safely returned to Jodoji Temple. Although there is no bell tower, the bell is still enshrined at Jodoji Temple today as a symbol of Japan–U.S. friendship.
The 1961 Bell Return Ceremony
In May 1961, a grand return ceremony was held at Jodoji Temple, attended by the then Mayor of Yokosuka City, the Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Japan, and the presidents of the Rotary Clubs of both countries.
