The Notorious Incident at Nobuhide's Funeral
	The famous Incense Throwing Incident occurred at Bansho-ji during the funeral services for Lord Nobuhide that were presided over by Abbot Daiun in the preesence of about 700 mourners. As 300 priests were chanting the sutras and the family were paying their respects by burning incense at the altar, the heir and most important principal was long overdue. There was muttering and suggestions made that perhaps the younger son of Nobuhide might make a more presentable successor. Then suddenly there were hoofbeats and a dishevelled Nobunaga swnug into the temple in his filthy hunting attire. He strode up to the altar hearing angry remarks from all sides. Instead of observing the formal ritual of adding pinches of incense to that glowing in the brazier, he picked up the brazier and hurled it at the lacquered tablet bearing his father's post-mortem name that sat in the place of honor in the altar. He turned and strode out leaving chaos and confusion in his wake. Nobunaga was 18 and the strange and violent behavior enhanced an already bad reputation he young man had gained as an irresponsible scatterbrain. However, some thoughtful scholars believe that Nobunaga carefully encouraged the rumors that he was mentally incompetent in order to deceive his powerful rival lords into believing that Owari was defenseless. ( An old priest from Kyushu who attended the funeral was heard to remark that Nobunaga was the very man to unify Japan. )
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	Tokugawa Ieyasu ( founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate ) was Once a Resident of Bansho-ji
	At the age of 17, Matsudaira Hirotada, the petty lord of Mikawa fief became the father of Takechiyo ( Ieyasu ). When he was at the age of 6, the Imagawa clan demanded Takechiyo as a hostage to guarantee Lord Hirotada's promise not ally with the Oda clan in Owari. In the custody of Toda Yasumitsu, an Imagawa vassal, they set out for Sumpu Castle ( now Shizuoka Prefecture ) but soon reversed course and headed for Owari where Yasumitsu obtained gold to the present-day value of 10 million yen in exchange for Takechiyo. Nobuhide lost out on this transaction for Takechiyo's father, Lord Hirotada, refused to be coerced by Nobuhide and adviced him that he would respect his promise to Imagawa Yoshimitsu even if Nobuhide killed the boy. Though of no value as a hostage, Nobuhide put Takechiyo in Bansho-ji for safe-keeping and education. He remained there as a guest for nearly three years until he was returned to his home castle at Okazaki after his father's death.
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	Bansho-ji in Latter Days
	The Owari-Tokugawa clan continued to patronize Bansho-ji even after it was relocated in Osu where it now stands. Toward the end of the Tokugawa rule ( Edo Period ) it fell into decline for lack of financial support and because of the abolition of the Samurai ( warrior ) Class, an event which occurred during the Meiji Restoration. Concerned for the future, the 37th abbot, Daienkakuten, made the temple property available for commercial use by converting the spacious grounds into a shopping district. Though this area was devastated in the fire bombings of Wold War II, it has flourished again and now includes the unique shopping arcades of Bansho-ji Avenue and Shintenchi Street.
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