Zojoji Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect and was founded in 1393. After Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo Shogunate in 1603, Zojoji was designated as the Tokugawa family's temple (bodaiji) for the veneration of their ancestors' spirits.

Ieyasu himself held a deep faith in Buddhism and supported Zojoji, contributing to its development and protection.

Ieyasu chose Zojoji as the Tokugawa family's bodaiji and decided to place his own mausoleum there.

After his death, Ieyasu's remains were temporarily enshrined at Zojoji before being moved to Kunozan Toshogu in Shizuoka Prefecture. 

However, a mausoleum for Ieyasu remains at Zojoji, making it the resting place for successive Tokugawa shoguns and their families.

The Tokugawa Shogunate family cemetery at Zojoji houses the graves of many important figures, including Ieyasu, the second shogun Tokugawa Hidetada, and his wife Oeyo. 

This cemetery is a significant historical site, reflecting the history of the Edo period.

Throughout the Edo period, Zojoji enjoyed the Tokugawa family's patronage, leading to the expansion of its temple grounds and the construction of new buildings. 

As a result, Zojoji flourished as one of Edo's religious centers, attracting numerous visitors.

The relationship between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Zojoji extends beyond its role as a bodaiji. Zojoji served as a spiritual pillar for the Tokugawa family. This enduring connection has cemented Zojoji's place in Japanese history and culture, a tradition that continues to this day.