A Late-Edo Shin Buddhist Hall in Tomo
The Nanzenbo Main Hall (南禅坊本堂) is the late-Edo main hall of Nanzenbo, a Jodo Shinshu temple among the temples on the west side of Tomo at Ushiroji, Tomocho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and was registered with the temple gate as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 315 square metres, renovated in 1965 and 1995; registration number 34-0141, owned by Nanzenbo.
A Typical Shin Buddhist Hall
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the hall faces east within a precinct among the temples of western Tomo. Its interior is divided into the inner sanctuary, side chambers and outer worship space, with an open veranda across the front and lower verandas on three sides, the typical plan of a Jodo Shinshu hall.
Fukuyama City's list of cultural properties shows that Nanzenbo also holds two city-designated paintings on silk, portraits of Shinran and of Prince Shotoku.
Why It Was Registered
The Nanzenbo Main Hall was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it combines the typical Shin Buddhist plan with ornament developed as befits its period at key points.
What to Look For
The Nanzenbo Main Hall is 16 by 17 metres, under a hip-and-gable roof of traditional tiles, with a one-bay entrance canopy at the front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Look for the well-developed late-Edo ornament at key points such as the canopy and eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The temple gate, opening to the east of the precinct, carries a bell chamber with an exotic air.
Visiting
The Nanzenbo Main Hall stands in the precinct of Nanzenbo at 1339 Kusatani-ko, Ushiroji, Tomocho, Fukuyama City. See the group page Nanzenbo (Tomo) for both registered structures.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hiroshima
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nanzenbo Main Hall
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Q&A
- When was the Nanzenbo Main Hall built?
- In the late Edo period; it was renovated in 1965 and 1995 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What school of Buddhism is Nanzenbo?
- Jodo Shinshu; the hall has the typical Shin Buddhist plan (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How large is the Nanzenbo Main Hall?
- 16 by 17 metres, with a building area of 315 square metres (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What should I look for at the Nanzenbo Main Hall?
- The imposing tiled hip-and-gable roof and the well-developed ornament at key points (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Nanzenbo Main Hall registered?
- On December 19, 2014.
Basic Information
| Name | Nanzenbo Main Hall (南禅坊本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1339 Kusatani-ko, Ushiroji, Tomocho, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/12/19 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof, building area 315 square metres |
| Owner | Nanzenbo (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Temple precinct (check with the temple) |
References
- Nanzenbo Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010349
- Nanzenbo Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010350
- List of cultural properties in Fukuyama (Fukuyama City, PDF)
- https://www.city.fukuyama.hiroshima.jp/uploaded/attachment/285716.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.10
