Jōsen-ji: The Temple of the Pure Spring Ueno

Jōsen-ji is a wealthy Buddhist temple in Iga-Ueno.

Its enclosed grounds contain the main worship hall, monks’ quarters, guest lodgings, library, schoolrooms, training yard and storehouses. A spring supplies the temple’s ceremonial basin. Income comes from agricultural estates, donations, religious services and tuition.

The temple provides worship, funerals, memorial ceremonies and instruction. Its landholdings and patrons give it influence in town affairs. The abbot maintains its independence from the local ruling families, although their donations and protection remain important.

Teaching at Jōsen-ji

The following levels and Skill scores are campaign statistics for FGU Bushido. Scores use the 1–99 Skill scale; 99 indicates mastery. A teacher’s Level and mastery are listed separately. The temple offers instruction in the five Yogas through the teachers below.

Ordinary instruction requires enrolment and payment. Religious instruction requires observance of temple discipline. Advanced Yoga instruction requires the approval of its teacher. Private tuition is arranged individually.

Abbot Ryōgen

Level 6 Buddhist Gakusho.

Ryōgen governs the temple, appoints its officers and handles relations with patrons and local authorities. He preaches on attachment, suffering and moral responsibility. He is patient in an audience but firm about the temple’s interests.

Teaching location and availability: The abbot’s study and private meditation chamber. He accepts a small number of established disciples. Admission requires a senior monk’s recommendation and his personal approval.

Ryōgen holds final authority over advanced religious instruction and access to restricted temple manuscripts.

Senior Teacher Shōen

Level 5 Buddhist Gakusho.

Shōen directs the school and library. He teaches doctrine, supervises manuscript copying and maintains the temple’s correspondence. He also prepares formal petitions for people accepted under the temple’s patronage. His manner is reserved and his teaching exacting.

Teaching location and availability: The library and adjoining schoolroom. Regular instruction is available to enrolled monks and paying lay students. Advanced Gnana-Yoga requires his approval.

Shōen controls access to the library. Manuscripts may be studied within the temple; borrowing requires the abbot’s permission.

Ritual Master Jōkai

Level 4 Buddhist Gakusho.

Jōkai conducts daily worship, funerals and memorial services. He delivers the regular public sermons and receives visitors seeking religious counsel. His close acquaintance with the town’s households makes him an important source of local knowledge.

Teaching location and availability: The worship hall and ritual chamber. He teaches resident novices regularly and accepts outside religious students by appointment. Ceremonial duties take priority.

Jōkai supervises instruction in the temple’s liturgy and scripture recitation. Individual miraculous Sutras should be recorded separately when assigned to the temple.

Discipline Master Genshū

Level 5 Buddhist Gakusho.

Genshū commands the temple’s guards and oversees martial training. He teaches staff fighting, grappling and controlled movement. His responsibilities include gate security, escorts and discipline within the enclosure.

Teaching location and availability: The training yard and covered practice hall. Regular classes are open to approved residents and paying outsiders. He refuses instruction to anyone who repeatedly disrupts temple discipline.

His listed martial instruction covers ordinary skills. No particular Okuden is included in this temple description.

Steward Monk Yūkan

Level 3 Buddhist Gakusho.

Yūkan manages rents, supplies, wages and accommodation. He keeps the estate records and receives petitions from tenant households. Requests for financial relief pass through him before reaching the abbot.

Teaching location and availability: The accounts room. He provides scheduled instruction in writing and formal speech. Yoga and meditation lessons are available by arrangement, subject to his administrative duties.

Access and Residence

Visitors report to the gate lodge. Students enrol through Yūkan and are assigned to the appropriate teacher. Resident students receive lodging and meals and undertake temple duties. Visiting students attend at agreed times.

Jōkai receives ordinary religious petitions. Shōen handles scholarly enquiries. Genshū deals with protection and martial instruction. Yūkan handles money, land and lodging. Matters committing the temple’s resources or political support require Ryōgen’s decision.