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

• List of National Treasures of Japan (shrines)
• List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)
• Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Yamato
• Japanese gardens
• Place of Scenic Beauty
• Honji suijaku

References

1. Plutschow, Herbert E. (1983). Historical Nara. The Japan Times. p. 151. ISBN 4-7890-0226-8.
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. "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.

External links

(Japanese) Enjōji

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