Gokokuzan Tokoji Temple

The 3rd feudal lord of the Choshu Domain (now Yamaguchi Prefecture), Mori Yoshinari was known for his great political skills including tax reduction policies and flood prevention works, and was loved by the people of the domain. Tokoji temple was founded in 1691 by Obaku Egoku, a priest of a Zen Buddhism, Obakushu. The highlight is the grave of the Moris, which has been designated as a National Historic Site. About 500 stone lanterns donated by the retainers of the Moris, are neatly lined up symmetrically in parallel to each other, making a beautiful scenery. At the deepest spot of the lanterns are the tombs of the successive lords and their families. It is a very important and valuable historic site for the study of feudal lords’ graves during the feudal era.