Kon-dō and five-storied pagoda at Hōryū-ji, two of the world's oldest wooden structures dating to around 700[1][2]
The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897.[3]
The definition and the criteria have changed since the inception of the term. The temple structures in this list were designated national treasures when the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was implemented on June 9, 1951. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on their "especially high historical or artistic value".[4][5] This list presents 158[nb 1] entries of national treasure temple structures from the late 7th-century Classical Asuka period to the early modern 19th-century Edo period. The number of structures listed is more than 158, because in some cases groups of related structures are combined to form a single entry. The structures include main halls such as kon-dō, hon-dō, Butsuden; pagodas, gates, belfries (鐘楼,, shōrō), corridors, other halls and structures that are part of a Buddhist temple.[5]
History of Buddhist temples in Japan
Buddhism arrived in Japan in the mid–6th century, and was officially adopted in the wake of the Battle of Shigisan in 587, after which Buddhist temples began to be constructed.[6]Soga no Umako built Hōkō-ji, the first temple in Japan, between 588 and 596. It was later renamed as Asuka-dera for Asuka, the name of the capital where it was located. Prince Shotoku actively promoted Buddhism and ordered the construction of Shitennō-ji in Osaka (593) and Hōryū-ji near his palace in Ikaruga (completed in 603).[7] During the ancient period, the temple layout was strictly prescribed and followed mainland styles, with a main gate facing south, and the most sacred area surrounded by a semi-enclosed roofed corridor (kairō) accessible through a middle gate (chūmon). The sacred precinct contained a pagoda, which acted as a reliquary for sacred objects, and an image hall (kon-dō). The complex might have other structures such as a lecture hall (kōdō), a belfry (shōrō), a sutra repository (kyōzō), priests' and monks'
quarters and bathhouses.[8][9] The ideal temple had a heart formed by seven structures—called Shichidō garan. Buddhism, and the construction of temples, spread from the capital to outlying areas in the Hakuhō period from 645 to 710.[7] Because of fire, earthquakes, typhoons and wars, few of the ancient temples
remain. Hōryū-ji, rebuilt after a fire in 670, is the only temple with 7th century structures which are the oldest extant wooden
buildings in the world.[8]
Unlike early Shinto shrines, early Buddhist temples were highly ornamental and strictly symmetrical.[10] Starting with the late 7th century Hōryū-ji, temples began to move towards indigenous methods expressed by irregular ground plans that resulted in an asymmetric arrangement of buildings, greater use of natural materials such as cypress bark instead of roof tiling, and an increased awareness of natural environment with the placement of buildings among trees. This adaption was assisted by the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.[10][11][12]
During the first half of the 8th century, Emperor Shōmu decreed temples and nunneries be erected in each province and that Tōdai-ji be built as a headquarters for the network of temples.[13][14][15] The head temple was inaugurated in 752 and was of monumental dimensions with two seven-storied pagodas, each ca. 100 m (330 ft) tall and a Great Buddha Hall (daibutsuden) about 80 m × 70 m (260 ft × 230 ft).[15]Nara period Buddhism was characterised by seven influential state supported temples, the so-called Nanto Shichi Daiji.[14] Octagonal structures such as the Hall of Dreams at Hōryū-ji built as memorial halls and storehouses exemplified by the Shōsōin first appeared during the Nara period.[8][16] Temple structures, such as pagodas and main halls, had increased significantly in size since the late 6th century. The placement of the pagoda moved to a more peripheral location and the roof bracketing system increased in complexity as roofs grew larger and heavier.[17]
The early Heian period (9th–10th century) saw an evolution of style based on the esoteric sects Tendai and Shingon, which were situated in mountainous areas. A new style termed 和様 (wayō, Japanese style) emerged with the following characteristics: a main hall divided in two parts; an outer area for novices and an inner area for initiates; a hip-and-gable roof that covered both areas; a raised wooden floor instead of the tile or stone floors of earlier temples; extended eaves to cover the front steps; shingles or bark rather than tile roofing; and an adaption to the natural environment in contrast to symmetrical layouts.[10][18] The tahōtō, a two-storied tower with a resemblance to Indian stupas was also introduced by these sects during the Heian period.[19][20] According to an ancient Buddhist prophecy, the world would enter a dark period in 1051. During this period the Tendai sect believed enlightenment was possible only by the veneration of Amida Buddha. Consequently, Paradise or Amida Halls—such as the Phoenix Hall at Byōdō-in (1053), the main hall of
Jōruri-ji (1157) or the Golden Hall at Chūson-ji (1124)—were built by the imperial family or members of the aristocracy to recreate the western paradise of Amida on earth.[16][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]
Halls that enshrined the nine statues of Amida[nb 2] were popular during the 12th century in the late Heian period. The main hall of Jōruri-ji is the only extant example of these halls.[16][26]
The Daibutsu style and the Zen style emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century. The Daibutsu or Great Buddha style, introduced by the priest Chogen, was based on Song dynasty architecture and represented the antithesis of the wayō style. The Nandaimon at Tōdai-ji and the Amida Hall at Jōdo-ji are the only extant examples of this style.[10][27][28] Characteristics of the Zen style are earthen floors, subtly curved pent roofs (mokoshi) and pronouncedly curved main roofs, cusped windows and panelled doors.[27][29] Examples of this style include Butsuden at Kōzan-ji in Shimonoseki, Shakadō at Zenpuku-in and Octagonal Three-storied Pagoda at Anraku-ji.[30] The three Japanese styles, wayō, Daibutsu and Zen were combined in the Muromachi period giving rise to a conglomerate eclectic style represented by the main hall at Kakurin-ji.[10][29] By the end of the Muromachi period (late 16th century), Japanese Buddhist architecture had reached its apogee.[29] Construction methods had been perfected and building types conventionalized. Early pre-modern temples were saved from monotony by elaborate structural details, the use of undulating karahafu gables and monumental size of the buildings.[29] Representative examples for Momoyama (1568–1603) and Edo period (1603–1868) temple architecture are the Karamon at Hōgon-ji and the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera respectively.[29]
The table's columns (except for Remarks and Image) are sortable pressing the arrows symbols. The following gives an overview of what is included in the table and how the sorting works.
Name: name of the structure as registered in the Database of National Cultural Properties[5]
Temple: name of the temple in which the structure is located
Remarks: architecture and general remarks including
size measured in ken or distance between pillars; "m×n" denotes the length (m) and width (n) of the structure, each measured in ken
architectural style (zukuri) and type of roofing
Date: period and year; the column entries sort by year. If only a period is known, they sort by the start year of that period.
Location: "town-name prefecture-name, geocoordinates of the structure"; the column entries sort as "prefecture-name town-name".
Kuri: 23.6 m × 13.8 m (77 ft × 45 ft), single-storied, kirizuma style,[ex 3] entrance in the gable ends, hongawarabuki roof[ex 2]
Corridors: between kuri and main hall (hondō), lengths: 2 ken (entrance hall), 6 ken (east corridor), 11 ken (middle corridor), 2 ken (west corridor); each is 1 ken wide, single-storied, irimoya style[ex 4]
3×3, single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4] covered with hinoki cypress shingles, with a pent roof enclosure[ex 7] of copper-tile roofing, oldest intact building in Tokyo
14×5, single-storied with a pent roof enclosure,[ex 7]shumoku-zukuri (撞木造), entrance in the gable ends, front step canopy is 3 ken, nokikarahafu gable;[ex 6] step canopies on either side are 1 ken, everything is covered with hinoki cypress bark shingles
Buddhist sutra storehouse, 1×1, single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4] with a pent roof enclosure,[ex 7] covered with hinoki cypress shingles, includes an octagonal rotating sutra shelf (輪蔵, rinzō)
worship hall (外陣, gejin) 3×3 and inner sanctum (内陣, naijin) 1×1 connected via an intermediate passage (相の間, ai no ma); All structures are single-storied, irimoya style[ex 4] and have hinoki cypress bark roofing. The naijin has a pent roof enclosure.[ex 7]
11×6, 37.6 m × 23.9 m (123 ft × 78 ft), single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4] copper sheeting over wooden plannks with semi-circular battens covering the seams; main hall founded in 788 by Dengyō Daishi with an "Inextinguishable Dharma Light" burining inside in front of the Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha). part of the World Heritage SiteHistoric Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)
Hon-dō: 7×4, Ai-no-ma: 1×7, Worship hall (礼堂, rai-dō): 9×4, overhang style (懸造, kake-zukuri), rai-dō and hon-dō are in yosemune style[ex 9] and connected via the roof of the ai-no-ma, each of the three structures is covered with hinoki cypress bark shingles
four-legged gate[ex 10] with karahafu gables[ex 8] over the front and back entrance, 3.3 m × 6.1 m (11 ft × 20 ft), hinoki cypress bark shingles; entrance to the Kannon hall
Hōjō: 29.8 m × 17.0 m (97.8 ft × 55.8 ft), single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4]sangawarabuki tile roof,[ex 12] connected to the (雲門庵) at the back;
Entrance: 6×1, single-storied, karahafu gable,[ex 8]sangawarabuki tile roof;[ex 12] residence of the head priest. Hōjō meditation hall was built in 1502.
large 5 ken or 50 m (160 ft) wide, 24 m (79 ft) high two-storied gate with entrances in the three central bays, irimoya style,[ex 4]hongawarabuki roof[ex 2]
includes two 3×2 stairway buildings (山廊, sanrō) to either side of the gate: single-storied, kirizuma style[ex 3] with hongawarabuki roof;[ex 2] largest extant two-storied, double-roofed gate
large 5 ken, 22 m (72 ft) high two-storied gate with entrances in the three central bays, irimoya style,[ex 4]hongawarabuki roof[ex 2] includes two stairway buildings (山廊, sanrō) to either side of the gate: single-storied, kirizuma style[ex 3] with hongawarabuki roof[ex 2], oldest Zen main gate in Japan
ōhōjō (小方 丈): back side with a kirizuma style[ex 3] gable, front connected to the ōhōjō both structures are single-storied and covered with hinoki cypress shingles; residence of the head priest
21.8 m × 23.7 m (72 ft × 78 ft), single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4] entrance in gable ends, 1 ken entrance hall with karahafu gable,[ex 8]hongawarabuki roof,[ex 2]hisashi in the north
6×6, single-storied, yosemune style,[ex 9] entrance in gable ends, hongawarabuki roof[ex 2] with smooth, lipless, semi-cylindrical cover tiles (行基葺, gyōgibuki),[112] 1 ken wide open veranda on the front side, contains an akadana (閼伽棚)
treasure house, oldest surviving example of the azekura log-cabin style with a raised floor, 9×3, 108.4 m × 30.5 m (356 ft × 100 ft), single-storied, yosemune style,[ex 9]hongawarabuki roof[ex 2]
Worship Hall (正堂, shōdō): 7×4, with a pent roof[ex 7] on the front and either side
Ai-no-ma and Worship Hall (礼堂, raidō): 4×9, overhang style, entrance in gable ends, connected to the shōdō in the back side, chidori hafubargeboards[ex 13] on either side, attached to a stage on the front side, hongawarabuki roof[ex 2]
each structure is single-storied, irimoya style[ex 4]
3×4, single-storied, irimoya style,[ex 4] with 1 (3) kenhisashi attached to the right (left) side, with a 1 ken step canopy, hinoki cypress bark shingles; hall dedicated to the deity Fudō Myōō
For an explanation of terms concerning Japanese Buddhism, Japanese Buddhist art, and Japanese Buddhist temple architecture, see the Glossary of Japanese Buddhism.
Notes
General
^ abcdefThe National Treasure structures of Zuiryū-ji are registered as a single National Treasure under one registration number. Only in the main treasure table of this article, the single entry is split in three parts for readability.
^The statues represented the nine stages of nirvana.[26]
^The following items are attached to the nomination:
four munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction,
one votive tablet (納札, nōsatsu),
six parts of a former handrail,
six pieces of ancient timber,
two pieces of former ornamental metal fittings
^The nomination includes the entrance hall and a room in the northern aisle.
^ abcdeTwo munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^ abcdefghijklmOne munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction is attached to the nomination.
^Three inscription boards (銘札) and five munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination
^Two ancient drawings and two munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination
^ abcdefOne miniature shrine is attached to the nomination.
^The nomination includes one butsudan Buddhist altar and one munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction.
^One miniature shrine is attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine is attached to the nomination.
^Three dais and shrines are attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine is attached to the nomination.
^One concave and one convex roof tile are attached to the nomination
^One miniature shrine is attached to the nomination
^One munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction is attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine and five munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^Three miniature shrines are attached to the nomination.
^The entrance hall and four munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine, three former ridge beams and three munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^Eight doors (板扉, itatobira) made of a single thick wooden plank and a pair of phoenix roof ornaments are attached to the nomination.
^The entrance hall and three munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One buddhist altar (仏壇, butsudan) is attached to the nomination.
^A miniature shrine with two wooden panels is attached to the nomination.
^A wooden box with two hand scrolls of the Lotus sutra and two rafter caps are attached to the nomination.
^Eight kokabe (小壁) walls of the former inner sanctuary and one munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One wind bell (風鐸, fūtaku) is attached to the nomination.
^The nomination includes, a miniature shrine, one butsudan Buddhist altar and one munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction.
^The nomination includes a miniature shrine and one butsudan Buddhist altar.
^Six munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^Three hidden ridges (野棟木, nomunagi) are attached to the nomination.
two munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction
one broad concave almost rectangular roof tile (平瓦) from 1648
three pages of construction plans for the hon-dō
four pages of plans for the Hase-dera compound
a catalogue of the construction costs
^22 construction parts are attached to the nomination.
^Four frog leg struts (蟇股, kaerumata) and one pair of 高座.
^One dais and a miniature shrine are attached to the nomination.
^Part of the original framework is attached to the nomination.
^One beam of the former roof skeleton and two munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One ridge pole and one munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One broad concave almost rectangular roof tile (平瓦) is attached to the nomination.
^Remains of the former dew basin at the bottom of the finial are attached to the nomination.
^One framed motto (扁額, hengaku) is attached to the nomination.
^A sutra inserted in the pagoda finial is attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine, two munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction and two pages of a compound map are attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine and three munafuda (棟札) ridge tags with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^One square bearing block is attached to the nomination.
^Three miniature shrines and part of a ridge pole are attached to the nomination.
^One miniature shrine and one munafuda (棟札) ridge tag with information on the building's construction are attached to the nomination.
^Part of a former ridge pole is attached to the nomination.
Architecture
^ abcdefgh(hōgyō-zukuri, 宝形造): a pyramid shaped roof over a square building[32]
^ ab(tochibuki, 栩葺): type of board roofing whereby circa 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) thick and 60 cm (24 in) long boards are split and laid down with considerable overlap[41][42]
^ abc(nokikarahafu, 軒唐破風): an undulating Karahafu gable at eave ends[49]
^ abcdefg(karahafu, 唐破風): an undulating bargeboard flowing downwards from the top center with convex curves on each side that change to concave curves which either level off or turn upward at the ends[49]
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz(yosemune-zukuri, 寄棟造): a hipped roof where the front and back are trapezoidal and the sides triangular in shape; in Japan generally used for buildings of less importance[55]
^ abcd(shikyakumon, 四脚門): a single-storied gate with two main pillars in line with the ridge of the roof and a pair of supporting square posts ("legs") on either side. generally with a gabled roof[74]
^ abcd(hakkyakumon, 八脚門): a single-storied gate with four main pillars in line with the ridge of the roof and four supporting square posts ("legs") on either side. generally with a gabled roof[79]
^ ab(sangawarabuki, 桟瓦葺): a roof tile combining a broad concave tile with a semi-cylindrical convex tile into one tile. The tile is square undulating from concave to convex.[86]
^(chidori hafu, 千鳥破風, lit. "plover gable"): a decorative dormerbargeboard on triangular shaped dormers with strong concave curves[122]
^ abc(rō-zukuri, 楼造): a high gate with a shallow veranda and balustrade which gives it the impression of a two-storied gate[126]
References
^ ab金堂 [Golden Hall] (in Japanese). Hōryū-ji. Archived from the original on 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
^ ab五重塔 [Five-storied Pagoda] (in Japanese). Hōryū-ji. Archived from the original on 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
^ ab西明寺 [Saimyō-ji] (in Japanese). Saimyō-ji. Archived from the original on 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^西明寺－本堂 [Saimyō-ji Main Hall] (in Japanese). Saimyō-ji. Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^西明寺－本堂 [Saimyō-ji Main Hall] (in Japanese). Saimyō-ji. Archived from the original on 2010-09-23. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^ ab滋賀県石山観光協会 [Shiga Prefecture Ishiyama Sightseeing Association] (in Japanese). Ishiyama-dera. Archived from the original on 2010-04-09. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^善水寺 [Zensui-ji] (in Japanese). Zensui-ji. Archived from the original on 2009-04-29. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
^大豊町 : 史蹟・文化財 [Ōtoyo : historical landmarks, cultural properties] (in Japanese). Ōtoyo, Kōchi. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
Sansom, George; Sansom, Sir George Bailey (1958). A History of Japan to 1334. A History of Japan, Sir George Bailey Sansom, Stanford studies in the civilizations of eastern Asia. Vol. 1 (illustrated ed.). Stanford University Press. ISBN0-8047-0523-2. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
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