Architecture
Timeless Mastery of Edo Architecture
The buildings of Gesshoji, shaped by the exquisite craftsmanship of Edo-period artisans, embody the elegance and spirit of their time.
Structures such as the mausoleums and temple gates have transcended centuries, standing alongside the lords of Matsue to convey the dignity of the past.
Each architectural work carries its own stories and history, inviting visitors to sense the atmosphere and memories of a bygone era.
Shoin
The current Shoin was rebuilt in 1984 to reflect the dignity befitting the family temple of the Matsue Domain in the International Cultural Tourism City of Matsue.
In the back right room is the Onari-no-ma, designed in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
The Shoin is open to the public, and visitors may enjoy tea served in locally crafted tea ware upon request.
Otamaya
Built in 1798, this hall enshrines the ancestral tablets of the successive lords of the Matsue Domain.
The structure is entirely enclosed, and the interior walls feature paintings by Kano Eiun.
It is opened to the public only once a year on August 16 for the Goryōden Opening Ceremony.
Main Hall (Current)
The present Main Hall was constructed in 1954.
The principal image of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha) was commissioned by the first lord, Matsudaira Naomasa, in prayer for the peace of Lady Gesshoin’s soul.
Inside the hall are paintings of the Sixteen Arhats by Kano Eiun, and a framed inscription above the entrance is attributed to the tenth lord, Matsudaira Sadayasu.
Tea Room – Daien-an
Located quietly behind the Main Hall, Daien-an is a traditional tea room that once served as a venue for tea ceremonies.
It retains the atmosphere of the past and offers a tranquil space where the lords’ love for the tea tradition can still be felt.
Treasure Hall
A treasure hall that houses and displays valuable items associated with the lord of Matsue Domain.
It contains many valuable cultural properties that you can't find anywhere else, such as the statue of Fumai and the extraordinary nirvana.
Tangmon
The Hirakaramon gate is believed to be built in the mid-17th century.
Due to the shape of the sculpture, it is believed to be an architecture made by the rituals of the Matsue Domain.
There is a theory that it was relocated from the former Enryu-ji Temple (Nishio-cho, Matsue City), but the details are not clear.
Bell tower
The bell tower is believed to have been built in the mid-17th century.
It is decorated with an elephant nose, and is thought to have been constructed by the rituals of the Matsue Domain.
It was moved to its current location during the Taisho period when the grounds were being maintained.
First Naomasa Tomb
The mausoleum of Matsudaira Naomasa was built in 1679.
The temple gate is a cultural property designated by Shimane Prefecture, and the ken kara gables are decorated with elaborate carvings of tiger and bamboo, giving it a sense of high elegance.
Naomasa, the first lord of the Matsue domain, was the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu and was a man of great bravery.
There is also an anecdote that he was active in the Osaka camp and was praised by Sanada Yukimura for his fighting spirit.
He is also known as a great ruler who values faith, working on the construction of Himisato Shrine and Izumo Taisha Shrine in feudal government.
He died in the Edo clan residence in 1666.
Second generation Tsunataka Tomb
The mausoleum was built in 1676.
The kenkaraku gable is carved with paulownia crest, and while it is formal, it is slightly simpler than the temple gate of the first Naomasa Duke.
Tsunataka Takashi excels in literature, and has a particularly talented painting, and studied under Kano Nagaun and left behind many works.
He is also the person who officially established and developed the temple of the Matsue Domain and promoted the maintenance of Tsukisho-ji Temple.
He passed away suddenly in 1675 at the age of 44.
Third generation Tsunako Kinko Tomb
The mausoleum was built in 1710.
One slit slab, one slit slab, and one slit slab, and the gable is decorated with dragon carvings.
Tsunachikako took over the family headship at the age of 17 and worked hard to stabilize the feudal government.
It promotes agricultural policy and encourages the cultivation of lacquer, mulberry, kozo, etc.
He also developed Koshihara and created a foundation that would later be used as a cultivation site for medicinal carrots.
However, they also faced repeated flood damage and difficulties in the feudal finances.
It is said that after losing his blindness, he loved peonies and comforted his heart by enjoying the scent.
He died in 1709 at the age of 51.
Tomb of the Fourth Generation Yoshitoru
The mausoleum was built in 1707.
It has a magnificent structure, and the beard is carved with six monks and paulownia crests.
Yoshitoshi succeeded his older brother Tsunachika and became the lord of the feudal domain in 1704, but the following year he died suddenly in Edo due to illness.
Although his reign was short, he worked to stabilize the Matsue Domain and took on the role of taking over the feudal government that his father and older brother had undertaken.
He died in 1705 at the age of 38.
The Great Sangwei Tomb
The mausoleum was built in 1731.
It is carved with waterfowl and elephant noses, demonstrating advanced carpentry skills.
In 1705, Sou Wei became the feudal lord at the age of eight, and responded to numerous natural disasters and threats from foreign enemies.
In particular, foreign ships continued to appear around Mihoseki, and efforts were made to strengthen their defenses, including bombardment with permission from the shogunate.
In 1720, Oki resumed rule and established a defense system for the feudal domain.
He died in 1731 at the age of 34.
Six Sect's Tomb
This mausoleum is believed to have been constructed after his death.
It is decorated with elephant noses and Nio statues, and has the same structure as the temple gate of the Great Sung Wei Dynasty.
Munehisa was born in 1729 (Kyoho) and became the lord of the feudal domain at the age of 16.
At the time, the Matsue Domain was facing serious financial difficulties and implemented an economic policy called "Enkyo Reform." The government introduced feudal financial institutions and industrial promotion measures to stimulate the economy.
However, large-scale construction orders from the shogunate placed a heavy burden on the finances, and reforms were frustrated.
In his later years he retired to Edo, and died in 1782 at the age of 54 without returning to Matsue.
The Seventh Ancient Jigoku Tomb
The mausoleum was built in 1819.
The temple gate is a cultural property designated by Shimane Prefecture, and the head sculpture is decorated with grapes, and is said to be made by Kobayashi Nyomu.
Prince Harugo was born in 1751 and became the lord of the feudal domain at the age of 17.
He became familiar with tea ceremony and established the "Fumai-ryu tea ceremony."
He left his name as Fumai and contributed to the development of tea ceremony culture.
In addition, the feudal government also enforced the order to rebuild the feudal finances.
In 1818, he died in Osaki, Edo at the age of 68.
Yatsushiro Saito Tomb
The mausoleum was built in 1823.
It is carved with peonies, gourds, squirrels, and chinese lions, and is characterized by its gorgeous design.
Sai Heng Kim was born in 1806 and became the feudal lord at the age of 16.
Influenced by Jigoku, he excels in tea ceremony and calligraphy, and is known as Hyoan Moon Lake.
In addition, in order to respond to the occurrence of Oki from foreign ships, we also strived to increase our military equipment.
He died in 1822 at the age of 32.
The 9th generation Saisai Tomb
This mausoleum is believed to have been constructed after his death.
The front of the upper part of the rainbow beam on the wife's face is decorated with openwork carved eagles on the pine tree, reflecting the taste of Prince Saisai, who loved falconry.
Born in 1815, he became the feudal lord in 1822.
During the feudal government, he also contributed to cultural projects, completing the "Izumo Edition Enkishiki" and engraving 100 volumes of "South History" on the orders of the shogunate.
We also focused on civil engineering projects and proceeded with the construction of Shinkawa in Hakugawa County.
While he is also interested in Western culture, there are still anecdotes that he liked millet rice and batho-buki radish.
He died in 1863 at the age of 49.
The strange Olympic Tower
The strange Olympic tower is built at the tombs of the first, fifth, sixth, seventh and nineth feudal lords.
Unlike regular Olympic towers, this stone tower has a unique shape.
It is a symbol of the tomb of the lord of Matsue Domain, and its faith and authority remains in the same way as when it was built.
Olympic Tower
Traditional Olympic towers are built at the tombs of the lords of the second, third, fourth and eighth generations.
The Olympic Tower is a stone tower that symbolizes the five major elements of Buddhism: the earth, water, fire, wind, and sky, and was erected to pray for the feudal lords' souls.
It is a symbol of the tomb of the lord of Matsue Domain, and conveys the faith and authority of the domain lords to this day.
