In an era where divorce was a privilege only men enjoyed, a Japanese temple turned the tide, becoming a beacon of hope for abused and unhappy women who sought a way out of their oppressive marriages. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Japanese society did recognize the concept of divorce, albeit exclusively for men. This unbalanced arrangement meant that women were trapped in abusive marriages, their lives tethered to toxic husbands with no legal avenue for separation. It wasn't until 1285 when Matsugaoka Tokeiji, better known as the 'Divorce Temple,' was founded that these women were given a chance to break free. Established by Kakusan-ni, a nun who built the temple in honor of her deceased husband Hojo Tokimune, Matsugaoka Tokeiji became a sanctuary for battered women. These women, despite their dissatisfaction and suffering in their marriages, had been previously left without options. The temple's initiative represented an extraordinary shift in societal norms. The temple continued to serve as a
