Sōfuku-ji (崇福寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. The temple has strong ties to both Saitō Dōsan and Oda Nobunaga. Gifu's Sōfuku-ji is famed throughout Japan for both the number of monks it produces and for its "Blood Ceiling". Shortly after its founding, it was also known as Kōsai-ji (弘済寺), but that name is no longer used. It is also one of the Mino Thirty-three Kannon.
Entrance to Sōfuku-ji
The inner path up to the temple
Image: 崇福寺 (岐阜市) 山門から境内を望むsoufukuji 003
Image: 崇福寺 (岐阜市) 境内Soufukuji 005
Gifu is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used the area as a base in an attempt to unify and control Japan. Gifu continued to flourish even after Japan's unification as both an important shukuba along the Edo period Nakasendō and, later, as one of Japan's fashion centers. It has been designated a core city by the national government.
Image: Gifu City Tower 43 and Gifu Sky Wing 37 from Twinarch 138
Image: Gifu Castle Gifu Japan 02 (47925952886)
Image: Kawaramachi Gifu Japan 01 r
Image: Yanagase 03