Entsu-ji Fire

Description

On June 30, 2026, a fire destroyed buildings at Entsu-ji (Entsu Sodo), a Rinzai Nanzen-ji school training monastery in Matsushima-cho, Imari, Saga Prefecture. The wooden main hall, built in 1884, and the adjoining kuri living quarters were destroyed, along with the shoin and inryo. The temple is said to have been founded in the 14th century and previously housed the Imari Prefecture government office. The fire was reported around 3:30–3:40 a.m. and was extinguished about seven hours later. Two trainee monks in the kuri escaped; the head priest was away. No injuries were reported. A nearby nursery and high school closed for the day. On July 6, Imari police arrested a 28-year-old trainee monk on suspicion of arson of an inhabited structure. He told investigators he set fire to the second floor of the kuri and that he had become sick of his life and dissatisfied with the amount and severity of training. Saga District Public Prosecutors later began a mental-competency evaluation. The case remains under investigation.