Nyoiji Temple Monju Hall

A Raised-Floor Hall of 1453

The Nyoiji Temple Monju Hall (如意寺文珠堂) is a large raised-floor hall five bays by four at Nyoiji, dedicated to Monju of 1453 in Hasetanicho, Nishi Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 19, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey raised-floor hall five bays by four with a tiled hip-and-gable roof; designation number 01177.

Nyoiji

Nyoiji is a temple in Hasetanicho, Nishi Ward, Kobe. According to a document published on the Kobe City website, it is said to have been revived by Ganzai in the 990s and was probably founded in the late 10th century. Its precinct has three designated buildings: the Amida hall, the three-storey pagoda and the Monju hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the date, 1453, and its form, a raised-floor hall five bays by four with a tiled hip-and-gable roof, set out what was designated.

A Raised-Floor Monju Hall

The Monju hall of Nyoiji dates from 1453 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a single-storey hall five bays by four, raised on a high floor, under a tiled hip-and-gable roof.

According to a document on the Kobe City website, it is thought from its style to be a rebuilding of 1453; its interior has no screen between inner and outer sanctuaries, and it seems also to have served as a refectory.

What to Look For

At the Monju hall, look for the high raised floor and the large tiled hip-and-gable roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

The hall is owned by Nyoiji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting or access was found.