Fire and Reconstruction

In 1394, just two years after construction was completed, a fire starting in the living quarters completely destroyed the entire compound. Zekkai Chûshin (1336-1405), the sixth abbot of Shôkoku-ji, urged Yoshimitsu, then thirty-seven years old, to rebuild, and the following year work began on the Buddha Hall and the Founder's Hall (Kaisantô). In 1396 the Dharma Hall (Hattô) was rebuilt, and in 1399 a Great Seven-Story Pagoda was completed. At 109 meters in height, it was hailed as offering the most magnificent view in the realm, but in 1403 it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. By 1407, Shôkoku-ji had been restored to its original appearance. Yoshimitsu died the following year at the age of fifty-one.

The entire complex was destroyed by fire again in 1425, and rebuilt once again through the efforts of the abbot, Seichû Chûkan (d. 1430), the fourth Ashikaga shogun Yoshimochi (1388-1426), and Yoshinori (1394-1441), who would later be the sixth Ashikaga shogun. Additional reconstruction was carried out by Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436-90), and from 1463, with the completion of the Dharma Realm Gate (Hokkaimon), Shôkoku-ji once again stood as a great Zen temple complex.

It was destroyed by fire again, however, during the Ônin War, which began on January 18, 1467, and yet again in the Tembun Uprising of 1549.

After being destroyed twice by fires starting within the complex and twice by war, the restoration of Shôkoku-ji began yet again in 1584, with the appointment of the ninety-second abbot Saishô Shôtai (1548-1607). Along with Sen Rikyû (1522-91), Saishô Shôtai served under Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-98), assisting with diplomatic correspondence—Hideyoshi heavily relied on him for his broad knowledge and wise counsel. After Hideyoshi's death, he served under Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) and came to be known as "The Black-Robed Prime Minister"—black being the color of a monk's robes. Saishô Shôtai set about raising funds for the reconstruction of Shôkoku-ji, and with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori (1593-1615) the Dharma Hall (Hattô) was completed and dedicated in 1605. Having accomplished the reconstruction of Shôkoku-ji, Saishô Shôtai is regarded as the restorer of the temple's fortunes.

The Dharma Hall (Hattô) that was built at this time is the oldest surviving example of its kind in Japan and is regarded as the epitome of the Zen architecture that emerged in the Muromachi period. Surrounded by a grove of pine trees, the majestic building has been designated an important cultural property. Shôkoku-ji suffered substantial destruction in the Great Temmei Fire of 1788, but fortunately the Dharma Hall (Hattô) escaped damage.

Rebuilding continued under the 113rd abbot Baiso Kenjo (1719-1801) and the 115th abbot Imyô Shûkei (d. 1808), and in 1807 Kyoreimon'in (1743-1795, consort of Emperor Gomomozono) donated her former palace to the temple. The palace was rebuilt as the Founder's Hall (Kaisantô), and the Abbot's Quarters (Hôjô), the Kitchen and Living Quarters (Kuri), and several other buildings that survive to this day.