Honnō-ji

Honnō-ji (本能寺, Honnō-ji^?) is a temple of the Nichiren branch of Buddhism located in Kyoto, Japan. Its honzon is mandara-honzon (曼荼羅本尊) from Nam Myoho Renge Kyo.

History

Honnō-ji is most famous for the Incident at Honnō-ji. Oda Nobunaga lodged there before his invasion of the west. However on the morning of June 21, 1582, the traitorous forces of Akechi Mitsuhide surrounded the temple and set it on fire. Knowing there was no way out for him, Nobunaga committed seppuku along with his attendant Mori Ranmaru. Ranmaru's brothers also perished at Honnō-ji.

Location

The rebuilt Honnō-ji stands on a different site in Kyoto, near Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station.

Popular references

Honnō-ji is depicted in the games Onimusha 3: Demon Siege and Sengoku Basara Series and in episode 10 of the animated TV series Sengoku Otome.

See also

• For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
• List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)