During the warring states period (15th and 16th centuries), the warlords Oda Nobunaga and Uesugi Kenshin fought the battle of Kawanakajima, and Zenko-ji Temple was one of the bases during this battle. In times of peace Zenko-ji Temple was a popular destination for pilgrims, a destination that one should visit at least once in one’s life. The temple is known for its egalitarian teaching that promises that anyone, regardless of their sex, who chants the Buddha’s name will be able to go to the Pure Land (a Buddhist paradise). It is said that for this reason the temple was particularly popular with female worshippers.