An Esoteric Main Hall Dated by Its Altar Panels
The Chokoji Temple Main Hall (朝光寺本堂) is a typical Esoteric Buddhist main hall of the early Muromachi period of 1413 to 1428 in Hata, Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 20, 1954 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey hall seven bays square with a hipped roof of full tiles and a three-bay porch, designated together with a shrine cabinet and two old panels from behind it; designation number 00166.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of March 28, 1923, the date of its designation under the former law.
A Date Recorded on the Altar Panels
Chokoji is said only to have been founded by the monk Hodo, and with few records little is known of its history (Agency for Cultural Affairs). There is no direct record of the hall's construction, but old panels from the altar say that the altar was built and the principal image moved in 1413, and that roofing was completed between 1418 and 1428. The hall can thus be dated to the Oei era, and its style agrees.
It is seven bays square with a three-bay porch (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Based on the Japanese style, it uses panelled Chinese-style doors and double-block fillers between brackets, placing it in the eclectic school.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency names it a typical Esoteric Buddhist main hall of the early Muromachi period.
Mirror Ceilings and a Great Shrine Cabinet
As an Esoteric Buddhist hall it is divided into inner and outer sanctuaries (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The five-bay inner sanctuary has a flat board ceiling on widely spaced heavy ribs, with a large shrine cabinet at the front; the cabinet has later alterations but keeps the style of the hall in its main parts. Part of the outer sanctuary has the same ceiling, and aisles run around both.
What to Look For
Look for the eclectic exterior with Chinese-style doors and double blocks, and the great shrine cabinet in the inner sanctuary (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Kato City brochure says visitors may enter as far as the outer sanctuary.
Visiting
It is owned by Chokoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to a Kato City brochure, the grounds are open, and the main hall can be entered as far as the outer sanctuary from 8:00 to 16:00. It is about 15 minutes by car from Hyogo-Tojo IC on the Chugoku Expressway, with parking for about 20 cars; enquiries go to the temple office, tel. 0795-44-0735. The main hall and bell tower are introduced together on the Chokoji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the hall built?
- In the Oei era, between about 1413 and 1428.
- What style is it?
- The eclectic style based on the Japanese style.
- What else is designated with it?
- A shrine cabinet and two old panels.
- Can it be visited?
- Yes, as far as the outer sanctuary, 8:00 to 16:00 (Kato City).
- When was the Chokoji Temple Main Hall designated a National Treasure?
- On March 20, 1954 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Chokoji Temple Main Hall (朝光寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hata, Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1954/03/20 (Showa 29) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 shrine cabinet and 2 old panels) |
| Dimensions | Seven bays square, single storey, hipped, three-bay porch, full tiles |
| Owner | Chokoji Temple |
| Public Access | Main hall interior 8:00–16:00; grounds open (Kato City) |
References
- Chokoji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2400
- Kato City tourist brochure (Kato City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.kato.lg.jp/material/files/group/50/R7rurubu_kato4-5.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.24
