Saga Prefectural Police arrested Morinaga Kichi, 28, of Imari City, on 6/7. Morinaga allegedly set fire to Entsuji temple around 3:30 AM on 30/6, then called emergency number 119 to report the blaze. The fire burned for nearly 7 hours, damaging over 1,000 square meters of the complex, including the main hall, monks' living quarters, a study, and a hermitage.

At the time of the fire, two people were inside the temple: Morinaga and another novice monk. The abbot was absent. Morinaga alerted the other novice, who managed to escape. No injuries were reported in the incident.

During the investigation, the suspect admitted to the act.

Entsuji temple after the arson on 30/6. Photo: KBC

Morinaga stated he began training at Entsuji temple in April 2025 but was unhappy with the volume of training and the instruction methods. "I hate everything in life, so I set it on fire", Morinaga said.

Morinaga is under investigation for arson of an occupied structure, according to the Japanese Penal Code.

Entsuji temple was founded approximately 650 years ago and belongs to the Rinzai school, Nansen-ji branch. Since the Meiji era, the temple has been a renowned training center for Zen monks. The fire damaged a historic Zen training facility.

Bao Nhien (According to Fnn)