The Senjo-kaku palace’s construction began in 1587 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was one of the unifiers of Japan in the 16th century.

He intended to hold Buddhist memorial services here (the chanting of senbu-kyo, one thousand sutras, could be held every month) for all the dead soldiers from various wars he had started. But eleven years later, during construction, he passed away, and it still remains in its unfinished shape today.

If the palace had been completed, we would be able to see the magnificent culture of the Azuchi Momoyama era. If you look closely at the gilded roof tiles, you can imagine his dynamic character.

The Senjo-kaku palace had been used as a temple up to the Meiji era, and dedicated to Amida Buddha and subordinate Buddhist saints, Anan and Kasho. After early Maiji era, the Buddhist statues were moved to another temple and it has been used as a shrine since then.

 (The new Meiji government ordered the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism to construct an Emperor centered state, because it was believed Emperors were God. )

Senjo means 1000 tatami mats, but Senjo is kind of an exaggeration, maybe it’s real meaning is just great or big means. To tell the truth, the palace can hold only 875 tatami mats.

The Senjo-kaku also has been called Toyokuni Shrine since the early Meiji era. After Shintoism and Buddhism separated, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his chief retainer, Kato Kiyomasa, were enshrined here, so it was called Toyokuni shrine.

In the palace, there are a lot of paintings, called ”Ema”. “E” means painting, and “ma” means horse.

In ancient times, when people asked something important of a deity, they offered a horse to the shrine.

It became simplifed later, and paintings of a horse were offered instead. They simplified more and more; various paintings are dedicated now a days.

 (You can see various Emas at Tenjin Shrine in Itsukushima Shrine)