The entire Zenpuku-ji (or as Pruyn writes "Semphufugee") Temple complex, except for the gate pictured was burned in May of 1863. The fire remains a suspicious incident, although the Japanese government promised that it was not set purposely to push the U.S. Minister, Robert Hewson Pruyn out of Edo into the American and European community of Yokohama. Pruyn wrote to his wife, Jane Ann Lansing Pruyn on May 23, 1862 specifically mentioning this image: "I send you also a view of the Entrance to our Temple - being the second entrance about 300 feet back of the Gateway at the Street + a view of one of the many building with the Enclosure mainly for the purpose of giving you a glimpse of our famous big tree, a part of which is seen at the right. There are no other views here at present, but I will try + get some others."