Founded in 1593 by the powerful samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Kongōbu-ji was established as a spiritual monument dedicated to immortalising his mother. This temple’s creation was more than just an act of filial piety, it became a lasting symbol of religious devotion and architectural mastery. Nestled in Koyasan, Kongōbu-ji quickly rose to prominence as a central hub for Shingon Buddhism, intertwining Hideyoshi’s legacy with the sacred landscape of Japan.

Mount Kōya, or Kōyasan, was first settled in 819AD by the legendary monk Kūkai, also known as Kōbō Daishi, who introduced esoteric Shingon Buddhism to Japan after studying in China. Nestled in a secluded alpine basin surrounded by eight lotus-like peaks, this sacred site in Wakayama Prefecture was chosen for its geomantic significance and spiritual isolation. By imperial decree in 816, Kūkai began transforming the mountaintop into a monastic haven.