Standing Statue of Sho Kannon (Aryavalokitesvara)
Important Cultural Property
Heian period (10th Century)
Wooden Sculpture / Lacquer and Gold Leaf / Engraved Eyes
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Standing Statue of Sho Kannon (Aryavalokitesvara)
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This is the oldest Buddhist statue at Saikyo-ji Temple, believed to have been created in the latter half of the 10th century.
Standing at 171.3 cm, it is a single-block wood carving with lacquer and gold leaf and engraved eyes. Until recently, it was enshrined in the rear hall (mortuary chapel) of the Main Hall.
The statue wears a unique coronet that resembles an inverted T shape placed over voluminous hair swept back in bunches.
The face is long, with flat eyeballs and downcast eyes, a well-defined nose, and small yet contoured lips, while the ears are large with clearly defined outlines, creating a striking presence.
The long and narrow heavenly shawl is folded over at the upper edge and the carved chest is adorned with a large sash draped diagonally across the upper body. The lively depiction of the drapes and folds add to the statue’s impact.
The proportions have been adjusted to provide a sense of stability despite its height, with a small head and short upper body over a long and robust lower half.
Cultural Property List
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01
Side Gate of the Founder's Hall
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Side Gate of the Founder's Hall
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02
Founder's Hall
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Founder's Hall
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03
Karamon Gate of the Founder's Hall
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Karamon Gate of the Founder's Hall
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04
Founder's Hall Font
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Founder's Hall Font
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05
Font in Front of the Main Hall
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Font in Front of the Main Hall
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06
Ossuary
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Ossuary
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07
Syokyozo
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Syokyozo
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08
Main Hall
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Main Hall
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09
Seated Statue of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha)
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Seated Statue of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha)
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10
Guest Hall
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Guest Hall
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11
Seated Statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru)
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Seated Statue of Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru)
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12
Guest Hall Side Gate
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Guest Hall Side Gate
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13
Kanrantei
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Kanrantei
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14
Shoin
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Shoin
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15
Kanchogura
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Kanchogura
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16
Mausoleum
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Mausoleum
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17
Stone Lantern
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Stone Lantern
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18
Temple Bell
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Temple Bell
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19
Standing Statue of Sho Kannon (Aryavalokitesvara)
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Standing Statue of Sho Kannon (Aryavalokitesvara)
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Oda Nobunaga
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Sengoku period
A period marked by frequent warfare from the late 15th century to the late 16th century.
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rafters
The components supporting the roof substrate and roofing materials.
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exposed rafters
The rafters are meticulously crafted and decoratively finished, with a focus on enhancing the exterior's appearance.
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non-penetrating tie beams
Beams that connects the pillars horizontally. It is installed along the wall to be overlaid above the lintels or to span between the pillars.
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bracket complex
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tsuijihei clay wall
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four-legged gate
With two main pillars at the center, four further posts are located to the front and the back of the gate. It is called yotsuashimon Gate, as yotsuashi means four legs (posts) and the gate has four shore posts. This type of gate is commonly used as the front gate of a temple. Normally cylindrical main posts and slightly thinner prism shore posts are used with a gable roof. A gate with four shore posts on each side, in total eight posts, is called a hakkyakumon gate (gate with eight legs/posts).
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Dengyo Daishi
The founder of the Japanese Tendai school, also known as Saicho. He lived from 767 to 822, and established the Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei.
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Tendai Daishi
The founder of the Chinese Tiantai school is Zhiyi, also known as Chisha Daishi, who lived from 538 to 597.
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transom with closely spaced vertical bars
A transom with closely spaced vertical bars and widely spaced horizontal bars, commonly seen in interconnected rooms in shoin-zukuri architecture.
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finely latticed coffered ceiling
A coffered ceiling incorporating finely latticed sections within the compartments.
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railing with decorated newel posts
The railings installed at the edges of the veranda and staircases feature decorative newel posts at each corner.
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sparse rafters
Widely spaced rafters
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outer (sanctuary)
Within a temple or shrine complex, this is the area outside the inner sanctuary where the sacred deity or principal object of worship is enshrined. It is a space where the general public pays their respects.
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laths
A slender material laid horizontally over the rafters to support the attic boards and other roofing elements.
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single row of sparse rafters
Sparse rafters spaced widely with only the chiseling.
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beam
The lengthwise side of the building. Refers to the direction in which the main ridge and ridgepole beams run.
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3-on-1 supports
In wooden temple architecture, one of the bracket forms primarily found above columns, supporting deep eaves. The bracket composition is made up of larger bearing blocks and smaller side bearing blocks.
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Double rows of closely spaced rafters.
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sacred texts
The teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha. Also, the Buddhist scriptures.
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eave
A gabled structure with an entrance on the girder side, featuring an eave that also serves as protection against rain.
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front entrance running parallel to ridge
Structure featuring an entrance on the girder side of the gabling.
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sukiya-style
Based on the shoin-zukuri architectural style, sukiya embodies a design that is at once elegant and delicate, and simple and refined.
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non-penetrating tie beams with bark
The edges of the round logs used are left with the bark intact, creating a rustic ambiance. This style was often used in sukiya-style tea rooms.
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mukuri-yane
Refers to a roof that curves gently upwards. It was used in urban residences during the early modern period. This style of roofing began to be produced as attic spaces became utilized as living quarters.
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A style of Japanese garden that developed during the Edo period that features a path through a landscaped garden with a large central pond.
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Edo period
The name of the period that lasted approximately 260 years from when Tokugawa Ieyasu founded the Edo shogunate in 1603 after winning the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the restoration of imperial rule by Tokugawa Yoshinobu in 1867. Also called the Tokugawa period.
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extension
A small place attached to the side of a tokonoma alcove and made of wooden boards. It protrudes toward the porch, and has paper screen sliding doors in front and an attached desk. Also called shoin-doko, idashifu-zukue, shoin-gamae, shoin-dana, akari-doko, and akari-join.
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sangawara
A type of roofing using only one type of tile, the cross-section of which is corrugated. The method was invented in the Edo period (1603–1868). The tiles used to be called “simple” tiles, as they were more economical compared to the tiles used for formal-tile roofing. Nowadays, traditional townhouses and residential buildings typically use this type of roofing.
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fudan nenbutsu
To continuously chant the name of Amida Buddha.
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Momoyama period
Lasting roughly 20 years from the time Toyotomi Hideyoshi took power in the late 16th century until his death and the start of the Edo period in 1603. For art history, this period is important as a time of transition from medieval Japan to early modern times. It is particularly known for the splendour of the architecture and art produced, with the construction of magnificent castles, palaces, temples, and shrines requiring the creation of equally splendid decorative paintings on sliding doors and screens for the interiors. At the same time, the development of genre-paintings that show ordinary life and craft technology such as pottery, lacquer work, dyeing and weaving is remarkable.
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X-shaped (slats)
Slats arranged in an X shape, used in the upper sections of fittings and transoms.
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vertical lattice
Thin vertical bars with square cross-sections aligned in a lattice with their edges facing the opening. This design is typically used in the windows and doors of temple or shrine architecture.
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unokedooshi
The pendant of the karahafu gable. It takes on an elongated shape to harmonize with the gentle curves of the karahafu.
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karahafu undulating bargeboard
A unique style of roof with a gable that flows from the top center with gentle curves on each side.
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cypress-bark (-roofed)
A roof made by the method where cypress bark is fixed by bamboo nails.
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chamfer
Smoothing the corners of structural components.
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hirakaramon
A karamon, or hirakaramon is a gate that features a roof with karahafu undulating bargeboards on both gable ends of the gate.
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five-tiered pagoda
A type of pagoda or stupa. It uses five tiers of stone to represent earth, water, fire, wind, and void. The earth tier is a cube, the water tier is either jar-shaped or spherical, the fire tier has a pyramid-shaped cap, the wind tier is hemisphere-shaped, and the void tier is formed by a jewel shape stacked on top.
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floral (openwork carvings)
It is a Zen style and is mostly used for sankarato paneled wooden doors and ramma transoms of a drawing room or study. It is also called hanaramma (hana means flower in Japanese), as floral patterns were applied to kumiko work (a delicate thin wooden work) on lattices. These kumiko works are called hanakumiko or hanako.
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arched beams
Beams that curve upwards, reminiscent of a rainbow.
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coffered ceiling
A ceiling constructed by intersecting timbers to form a lattice pattern. It is often used in high-status rooms such as those in shrines, temples, and great halls of shoin-zukuri architecture.
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hougyo-zukuri
A type of roof style. It features a square building where the corner ridges converge at the top center of the roof, also known as houkei-zukuri.
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mudra hand gesture
In Buddhism, various hand gestures are formed with the fingers, symbolically representing religious concepts.
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monastic robes
Refers to kasaya, a type of robe sewn from discarded rags, which was traditionally worn as part of the twelve ascetic practices. Over time, in China, these robes became more ornate, and in Japan, the term came to refer to the shichijo (seven piece) kasaya made from luxurious materials such as twill, brocade, and gold brocade.
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plaque
These were displayed at elevated positions on buildings, gates, and torii gates.
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Imperial Order
A document created by the keepers of the imperial archives (Kurodo) in accordance with the emperor's intentions.
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Emperor Go-Yozei
Reigning from 1586 to 1611, he was the 107th Emperor. He lived from 1571 to 1617.
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Hossho-ji Temple
The temple, established as a royal temple of Emperor Shirakawa, was located in the Okazaki area of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. In 1077, the dedication ceremonies for the completion of the main hall and other structures were held, and buildings such as the auditorium, Godai Hall, and an octagonal nine-story pagoda were erected. However, in 1185, an earthquake caused considerable damage, and a fire in 1342 destroyed the majority of the temple. It was ultimately abandoned after the Onin War (1467-77).
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Setsubun Day
The day before the start of each season. The term also implies "dividing the seasons." Since the Edo period, it has been used to refer specifically to the day around February 3 before the start of spring.
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miniature shrine in butsuma room
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sash
A narrow and long cloth, draped across the body from the left shoulder to the right side, worn by bodhisattvas and wisdom kings.
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heavenly shawl
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flat eyeballs
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single-block wood carving
A wood carving technique where the main parts of the head and body of the statue are carved from a single piece of wood.
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temple bell
Called bonsho, it is a hanging bell used in temples, of a different type to Chinese instrumental bells. Most are hung in a bell tower and rung by a wooden bell hammer.
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Sakamoto Castle
A Japanese castle once located in Sakamoto, Shiga District, omi Province (present-day Shimosakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture). It was constructed as the residence of Akechi Mitsuhide and was a flatland castle facing Lake Biwa.
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Akechi Mitsuhide
A military commander and feudal lord from the Sengoku period to the Azuchi-Momoyama period. He lived from 1528 to 1582.
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bell tower
The structure within the temple grounds for hanging the temple bell.
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Kamakura period
The name of the period that lasted for approximately 150 years from when Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the shogunate in Kamakura until Hojo Takatoki’s death in 1333.
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decorative finial
In Japan, the decorative finial is often represented as a pointed spherical shape, known as a jewel, that has the power to ward off calamities and grant wishes.
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lotus-shaped support
A lotus-shaped decoration below the kurin nine rings of the decorative finial.
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cap
The roof section of stone towers and lanterns.
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light compartment
The section where the light source is placed and illuminated.
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middle platform
Part of the stone lantern. It is the platform situated atop the shaft, on which the light compartment is placed. The underside features carved lotus petals, and the upper end is tiered. Kozama engravings may also be etched above the lotus petals.
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shaft
A column-shaped stone that stands on the foundation of a stone lantern and supports the upper parts, including the light compartment, cap, and decorative finial.
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granite
Crystalline stone. Known for its hardness, beauty, and durability, it is widely used as a building material.
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hiten kohai
A representation of the light of Amida, featuring a large boat-shaped halo adorned with heavenly beings. This style became popular after being devised by the renowned sculptor Jocho during the Heian period (794-1185).
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Jocho Style
The Wayo (Japanese) style of Buddhist statuary, initiated by the Heian period sculptor Jocho. This style synthesizes various Buddha carving techniques such as esoteric Buddhist figures, wooden statues, dry lacquer Buddha images with wooden cores, and statues made of fragrant wood, culminating in a unique stylistic form.
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Heian period
The Heian period lasted for approximately 400 years between the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto) by Emperor Kanmu in 794 and the foundation of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1185. The period is often divided into three sections: the Early, Mid- and Late Heian periods. In other words, the period of reviving the political system based on Ritsuryo codes, the regency period and the Insei period (governed by a retired emperor), respectively. (The end of the Late Heian period was ruled by the Taira clan.) Also referred to as the period of the Heian imperial court.
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golden hue
The entire body, including the limbs, glows with a golden hue.
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ushnisha protrusion
A protrusion on the top of the head symbolizing the accumulation of wisdom.
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lotus position
The sitting posture used in Buddhist practice. It involves placing the insteps of both feet on the opposite thighs so that the soles face upward.
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Amida meditation mudra
The hands form a mudra by overlapping and creating two circles with the thumbs and other fingers. This mudra, unique to Amida, represents a state of meditation.
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jorokuzo
Standard measurements for statue height. Joroku is an abbreviation for one "jo" and six (roku) “shaku". The standing statue is 1 jo 6 shaku (approximately 4.8 meters) tall, while the seated statue measures 8 shaku (approximately 2.4 meters).
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engraved eyes
A technique seen in some wooden statues where the eyes are engraved.
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lacquer and gold leaf
A lacquering technique involving individually pressing sheets of gold or silver leaf onto wooden sculptures, pillars, walls, as well as metal surfaces such as decorative fittings.
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yosegi-zukuri
A wood sculpting technique in which multiple pieces of wood are combined to create the head and torso of a statue. This method involves hollowing out the interior to reduce weight, allowing for the construction of large statues with minimal wood, among other advantages. It is a technique unique to Japan and was perfected from the mid to late Heian period (794–1185).
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Jofuku-ji Temple
A temple that once existed in Minakuchi Town, Koka County, Shiga Prefecture, but is now a ruin.
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shoin-zukuri
Shoin-zukuri was an evolution of an earlier architectural style known as shinden-zukuri, which was developed by aristocratic society during the Heian period (794-1185). Following the establishment of the shogunate in the Kamakura period, shinden-zukuri adapted to the life of the ruling samurai warriors, and it was particularly modified for the necessity of entertaining guests and ceremonies. It was also influenced by the architectural style of Zen Buddhism from China, and its unique style was gradually adopted for residential houses for military families as shoin-zukuri.
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illustration on partition
Paintings depicted on elements of residential architecture such as fusuma sliding panels and tsuitate screens.
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Kano school
A line of painters originating from Kano Masanobu who flourished as official artists for the samurai class from the late Muromachi period through to the Edo period.
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staggered shelves
A decorative piece in the shoin-zukuri style, positioned beside the tokonoma alcove and attached shoin. This setup features two shelves suspended in a staggered, two-tiered arrangement.
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Kenjin-no-ma
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shingled (roof)
A type of roofing. It involves attaching wooden shingles with bamboo nails, using thicker boards for the eaves section. The materials used include thin boards of cedar, cypress, and sawara cypress.
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gable (roof)
A style of building with a gable roof. Also called iraka-zukuri.
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Fushimi Castle
The castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Mt. Higashi-fushimi, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. Construction was begun in 1592. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1596 and reconstructed in Mt. Kohata. At this time, the checkpoints in Kyoto were put under control. Later the Edo Shogunate disposed of the castle, and the remains were transferred and still remain in some temples such as Daitokuji Temple, Nishi Honganji Temple and Toyokuni Shrine.
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Azuchi-Momoyama period
A historical period. It refers to the time from 1568, when Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, to 1598, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi passed away, or alternatively until 1603, when Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed as the Shogun and established the Edo shogunate.
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Shinsei Shonin
The founder of the Tendai Shinseishu sect, he hailed from Ise Province (present-day Mie Prefecture) and lived from 1443 to 1495. After studying at Saito (the Western Compound) of Mount Hiei, he retired to Seiryu-ji Temple in Kurodani Valley of the same precinct in 1483, where he devoted himself to continuous Buddhist practice. In Sakamoto, at the Shogen-ji Temple, he lectured on the Ojo-yoshu (Essentials of Salvation), showing great commitment to Genshin and revitalized Saikyo-ji Temple as a center for teaching the dual paths of gratitude and self-reflection. His posthumous titles were Enkai Kokushi and Jisho Daishi.
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(tokusei ikki) uprising
In the medieval period, a decree concerning the reclamation of sold land or the invalidation of debts was referred to as tokusei. Originally, it was a term denoting benevolent or good governance, allowing rulers to aid impoverished commoners by annulling debts or allowing them to reclaim sold land. The Tokusei uprising was initiated by farmers burdened by debt, who sought to legitimize this debt relief through force.
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Tendai Order
A Buddhist sect that venerates Tiantai Daishi Zhi-yi of China as its founder and regards the Lotus Sutra as its foundational scripture, with Dengyo Daishi Saicho as its Japanese founder. Its head temple is Enryaku-ji, located on Mount Hiei (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture).
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Eshin Sozu (Genshin)
A monk of the Tendai Order. Born in 942 and died in 1017. Originally from Yamato Province, he entered monastic practice at Mount Hiei at a young age and became a disciple of Ryogen and was ordained at the age of 13. He resided in Yokawa on the mountain and authored the three-volume Buddhist text titled Ojo-yoshu (Essentials of Salvation) in 985, contributing to the development of the Pure Land teachings.
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Ganzan Daishi
The 18th Tendai Zasu (head priest). Born in 912 and passed away in 985. He was born in Omi Province, studied Tendai doctrine, and resided in Yokogawa. Due to passing away on the third day of the first month, he later became commonly known as Ganzan Daishi. His posthumous title is Jikei (Sojo). Shortly after his death, the auspiciousness and divinity of his birth and death became legendary, leading to the veneration of the Daishi.
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Prince Shotoku
Named Umayado. His father was Emperor Yomei, and his mother was Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. He lived from 574 to 622. Serving as regent to Empress Suiko, he worked alongside Soga no Umako on both domestic and foreign policies. He is credited with establishing the Twelve Level Cap Rank System and the Seventeen-Article Constitution. Particularly devoted to Buddhism, he founded Shitenno-ji Temple and Horyu-ji Temple.
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transom
A horizontally elongated opening set between the ceiling and the lintel or tie beams. Although it can be closed off with walls, doing so would reduce lighting and ventilation. Therefore, the space is left opened and adorned with intricate carvings and lattices.
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dais
A platform used for enshrining statues of Buddhas and other figures.
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inner sanctuary
The innermost chamber within the temple or shrine where the sacred shintai (object regarded as the divinity's manifestation or symbol) or the principal Buddhist image is enshrined.
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Standing Statue of Sho Kannon Bosatsu (Aryavalokitesvara)
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rear hall (mortuary chapel)
The rear side of the main hall's central dais, also known as the rear gate or rear hall. During processions, participants circle around here and enter or exit from this point. The wall behind the dais features murals of Shakyamuni Buddha (or the Shakyamuni Trinity), and as it is referred to as the rear hall's principal image, it also serves as a place to enshrine various revered figures.
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frog-leg-struts
A structural component with sides that widen and curve towards the bottom, like a frog opening its legs (kaeru means a frog, and mata means crotch). It is located between two connecting beams. An alternative derivation for the name is karimata, the shape of an arrowhead, the edge of which splits into two.
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pent roof
In shrine and temple architecture, a structure with a roof that protrudes over the front steps. It allows the priest and worshippers to conduct ceremonies or pay respects from the front of the hall.
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shitomido
A type of wooden shutter that incorporates a lattice door that can be lifted or removed. It is often divided into two sections, upper and lower.
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paneled wooden doors
A paneled wooden door including sections of renji latticework set into small frames in an outer door frame.
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tiled (roof)
A roofing method using two types of roof tiles, flat tiles and semi-cylindrical convex tiles, which are laid alternatively. This method of tiling has been used since the Asukadera Temple was built. It was the first full-scale temple in Japan and was built at the end of the sixth century.
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hip-and-gable (style)
A hip-and-gable roof construction is a distinctive feature of religious architecture in Japan. It includes a gable section (kirizuma-zukuri) which sits on top of a hipped roof, which forms the base.
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Main Hall
The main building of a temple complex in which a principal image is enshrined. Depending on the sect, it can be referred to as the Kondo, Chudo, Butsuden, Mieido or Amidado.
Cultural Heritage Featuring This Term