Kashoji Temple Remains, Motsuji Temple
The ruins of Kashoji Temple stand to the west of Motsuji Temple’s main hall (Kondo Enryuji). The enormous stones still visible in the ground at this location are the original foundations of the Kashoji Temple hall, which predated construction of Motsuji Temple. The hall once enshrined a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing—the same Buddha enshrined at nearby Kondo Enryuji.
According to the Azumakagami, a historical record of the Kamakura period (1185–1333) that contains detailed accounts of the history of the warrior class, construction of Kashoji Temple was begun by Fujiwara no Motohira (1105–1157) and completed by his son, Fujiwara no Hidehira (1122–1187).
Because Kashoji Temple’s worship hall is similar in size and purpose to Kondo Enryuji, researchers believe that Kashoji Temple may have served as the original worship hall of Motsuji Temple.