DISCOVER FUKUI

Jishū sect temple. Founded in 1387 by Priest Kokua. By the late 16th century, it gained the patronage of Otani Yoshitsugu, lord of Tsuruga Castle. Decorated waist-high sliding screens, said to have been entrusted to the temple by Otani Yoshitsugu before battle, remain. These screens are outstanding in both design and craftsmanship and are designated as Fukui Prefecture Cultural Properties. Furthermore, Raikoji's mountain gate is believed to be the relocated central gate of Tsuruga Castle.

　At a place called Raigōji-no, located west of Raigōji Temple, 353 people, including Takeda Kōunsai, were beheaded on February 4th, 15th, 19th, and 23rd of the 2nd year of the Genji era (1865). The fiefs of Fukui, Obama, and Hikone were assigned the role of executioners wielding the swords. However, the Fukui domain, out of consideration for Matsudaira Shungaku, declined the role, stating they "did not wish to treat the rōnin as bandits," and most of its members returned home.