Azuchi's Jogonin

In late May, I was able to visit Azuchi's Jogonin.  The temple is a Pure Land sect of Buddhism and it is about a 10 minute walk from JR Azuchi Station.  Why is Jogonin so important in Nobunaga's and Azuchi's history?  Answer: The Azuchi Disputation!  It started when two believers of the Lotus sect harass a preacher from the Pure Land sect.

The Chronicle of Lord Nobunaga, p. 316.
"The disputation took place in the Buddha Hall of the Jogon'in, a Pure Land temple on the outskirts of the town of Azuchi.  Oda Shichibyoe Nobuzumi, Suganoya Kuemon, Yabe Zenshichiro, Hori Kyutaro, and Hasegawa Take were put in charge of security inside the temple.  The Lotus sect appeared magnificently attired.  Its representatives were Nichiko of the Chomyoji, Jokoin, Kuon;in, Myokokuji (a younger brother of the Sakai merchant Aburaya), and Fuden.  Daizobo of the Myokenji acted as the scribe.  They brought the Lotus Sutra in eight scrolls, an ink stone, and paper with them."

In the end, Nobunaga declared the Pure Land sect's representative the winner and executed members of the Lotus team as a fraud.

Nobunaga no tame!