Enjō-ji (Nara)

Enjō-ji Hondō of 1472, an Important Cultural Property
Two-storey gate of 1468, an Important Cultural Property
Kasugadō and Hakusandō shrines (1277/8), both National Treasures
Paradise gardens of the late-Heian period, a Place of Scenic Beauty
Dainichi Nyorai by Unkei (1176), a National Treasure
Honden of Ugajin, Kamakura period, an Important Cultural Property

Enjō-ji (円成寺) is a Shingon temple in the northeast of Nara, Japan. A number of its buildings and images have been designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, and its late-Heian period gardens are a Place of Scenic Beauty.

History

Enjō-ji is said to have been founded in 756 by a Chinese priest who accompanied Ganjin to Japan. The temple was enlarged in the late-Heian and Muromachi periods. Much damage occurred during the Ōnin War and further losses occurred during the Meiji period and after.[1][2]

Buildings

The two-storey gate of 1468 and Hondō of 1472 are both Important Cultural Properties.[3][4] The tahōtō is lost and has been replaced with a modern replica.[5]

Also on the grounds are a number of Shinto shrines. The single bay Kasugadō and Hakusandō of 1227/8 are the oldest extant examples of kasuga-zukuri and are thought to have been moved from Kasuga Taisha when it was rebuilt.[6] In 1953 both buildings were designated National Treasures.[7][8] The Honden of the shrine to Ugajin dating to the end of the Kamakura period is an Important Cultural Property.[9]

Treasures

In the tahōtō is a seated wooden statue of Dainichi Nyorai (木造大日如来坐像) of 1176 by Unkei. Of Japanese cypress using the yoseki-zukuri technique, it is gilded over lacquer and has crystal eyes. In 1920 it was designated a National Treasure.[10] In the Hondō is a seated wooden statue of Amida Nyorai (木造阿弥陀如来坐像) of the Heian period, surrounded by wooden statues of the Shitennō (木造四天王立像) of the Kamakura period, all Important Cultural Properties.[11][12] Other images include a Jūichimen Kannon of 1026, a child prince of 1309 that has been designated a Prefectural Cultural Property, a Fudō Myōō of the Nambokucho period, and a gilded Yakushi Nyorai.[2] The gorintō of 1321 has also been designated an Important Cultural Property.[13]

Gardens

The temple gardens are a rare example of late-Heian Pure Land paradise gardens and in 1973 were designated a Place of Scenic Beauty.[5][14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Plutschow, Herbert E. (1983). Historical Nara. The Japan Times. p. 151. ISBN 4-7890-0226-8.
  2. 1 2 "History, Images". Naranet. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Enjoji Temple". Nara Prefecture. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Kazuo, Nishi; Kazuo, Hozumi (1985). What is Japanese Architecture? A survey of traditional Japanese architecture. Kodansha. pp. 42f. ISBN 978-4-7700-1992-9.
  7. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  8. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  11. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  12. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  13. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  14. ↑ "Database of National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 31 March 2011.

(Japanese) Enjōji

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Coordinates: 34°41′45″N 135°54′55″E / 34.69583°N 135.91528°E / 34.69583; 135.91528

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