Kenmu Restoration
After the failure of Emperor Go-Daigo's Kenmu Restoration and his consequent fall from power, Hōkai-ji came under the protection of Ashikaga Takauji himself. The temple's "shichidō garan" was finally completed around 1353. The temple was completely destroyed by fire in 1538. At the beginning of the Edo period, Tenkai, founder of Kan'ei-ji, asked shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu if the temple could be supported and maintained by the state.