Unoshoji Temple

Overview

Unoshoji Temple is a historic temple imbued with tradition, serving as the family temple of the Satake clan, the founders of the Akita Domain. The Satake clan was transferred to present-day Akita Prefecture in 1603 and governed the region for over 200 years. Unoshoji Temple has deep ties to the Satake clan, having played a significant role in their prosperity. The temple grounds are home to numerous historical sites and cultural assets connected to the Satake clan, including the graves of successive clan lords and Bansuitei, where Satake Yoshimune is said to have spent his later years. Satake Yoshimune was the first lord of the Akita Domain. A man of both literary and martial prowess, he laid the foundation for the Akita Domain's prosperity. Bansuitei, where he supposedly spent his final years, still retains much of its original character. It's said that in his later years, Yoshimune spent considerable time here, enjoying calligraphy, painting, tea ceremony, and waka poetry. The garden of Bansuitei, reportedly designed by Yoshimune himself, features a pond and rock formations that reflect his refined aesthetic sense. Unoshoji Temple is not only a significant site in the history of the Satake clan but also an important location in the broader history of Akita. Why not take some time to reflect on history and nature within its serene atmosphere?