Shungakuin was built as the memorial temple for Toyotomi Hidenaga, Hideyoshi's half-brother. Hidenaga ruled Yamato-Koriyama Castle with a stipend of one million koku, serving as a key retainer of the Toyotomi regime. After his death in 1591, retainer Todo Takatora and others founded the temple, named Shungakuin after his posthumous Buddhist name. His grave and memorial tablet remain here today.