A quiet red-walled temple in Nakatsu, marked by legend, history, and a tragic tale of Samurai

3.5
旅行時期：2025/02（約1年前）

by Cyberさん（男性）

耶馬溪・中津・玖珠クチコミ：7件

中津駅の北側の閑静な住宅街、その中でもとりわけ寺社が多く建ち並ぶ通りにある寺の一つですが、寺の外側・内側の壁が真っ赤に染められているため、嫌でも目に付きます。
かつての中津の領主だった宇都宮鎮房を、黒田孝高が謀略を用いて中津場内で暗殺、宇都宮鎮房の従臣等がこの寺を拠点として奮闘するも最期を遂げ、以来寺の壁は何度塗り替えても血の痕が絶えることがなくなり、結果として赤く染めるに至った、という曰くがあります。
とは言え、寺そのものとしての規模はそれ程大きくはなく、周遊するだけであれば30分と要しません。周辺が住宅街であるため、祭事でも無い限り平日・休日共に参拝に訪れる人も少なく、静かに佇んでいる寺院、といった印象です。上記の謂れは中津城でも案内されるため、その延長で参拝する観光客の姿も見られますが、皆静かに参拝しているように見受けられます。

Located on a quiet residential street north of Nakatsu Station - an area particularly dense with temples and shrines - this is one of the local temples that is impossible to miss, as both its exterior and interior walls are painted a vivid red.
According to local legend, Utsunomiya Shizufusa, the former lord of Nakatsu, was assassinated inside Nakatsu Castle through a plot orchestrated by Kuroda Kanbei (Kuroda Yoshitaka). Utsunomiya's retainers continued to fight from this temple as their base but were ultimately killed. It's said that ever since, no matter how many times the temple walls were repainted, stains resembling blood continued to appear, which eventually led to the walls being deliberately painted red.
That said, the temple itself is not particularly large, and a simple walk around the grounds takes less than 30 minutes. As it's surrounded by residential neighborhoods, there are relatively few visitors on both weekdays and weekends unless a festival or special event is being held. Overall, it gives the impression of a quiet, contemplative temple.
The above legend is also introduced at Nakatsu Castle, and some visitors come here as an extension of their castle visit. Even so, most people appear to pay their respects quietly and respectfully.