Yoshizaki Gobo Rennyo Memorial Museum Seven Wonders Hall

Nanafushigido Main House: A Meiji-Era Masterpiece of Hokuriku Architecture

Nestled at the foot of the historic Yoshizaki Gobo ruins in Awara City, Fukui Prefecture, the Nanafushigido Main House (七不思議堂主屋) stands as a remarkable testament to the grand architectural traditions of the Hokuriku region. This stately Azumadachi-style farmhouse, originally built in 1881, was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2012, recognized for its exceptional craftsmanship, rare building materials, and its role in preserving the legendary "Seven Wonders" of Rennyo Shonin — one of the most revered figures in Japanese Buddhist history.

The building is part of the Yoshizaki Gobo Rennyo Shonin Memorial Museum complex, Japan's only museum dedicated to Rennyo, the 8th abbot of Hongan-ji Temple who is widely regarded as the restorer of Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) Buddhism. Overlooking the scenic Lake Kitagata, this extraordinary structure bridges the worlds of traditional Hokuriku domestic architecture and the rich spiritual heritage of one of Japan's most significant Buddhist sites.

Historical Background

The Nanafushigido Main House was originally constructed in 1881 (Meiji 14) in Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture, as the principal residence of the Neo family. The Neo family was a prominent household in the Tonami region; notably, a daughter of the family married Kumagai Tasaburo, who would later serve as president of the major construction firm Kumagai Gumi and as Director-General of the Science and Technology Agency of Japan.

The building was designed and constructed by Matsui Kakubei, a distinguished temple and shrine carpenter (dōmiya daiku) active in the Ecchū region. Matsui employed the finest construction techniques of the era, selecting premium building materials from across Japan to create what would become one of the most impressive residential structures in the Tonami Plain.

In 1979 (Showa 54), the building was carefully dismantled and relocated to its site in Yoshizaki, Awara City, where it was reassembled within the grounds of the Rennyo Shonin Memorial Museum. Renamed the "Nanafushigido" (Hall of Seven Wonders), the building was repurposed as an exhibition space showcasing the seven legendary folk tales associated with Rennyo Shonin's time at Yoshizaki Gobo, presented through traditional Fukui crafts including Echizen washi paper art and bamboo dolls.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Nanafushigido Main House was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property (Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Buildings) on August 13, 2012. Its designation reflects several key aspects of its architectural and cultural significance.

The building is a prime example of the Azumadachi architectural style, a traditional building form characteristic of the Ecchū (Toyama) region of the Hokuriku district. Azumadachi houses are distinguished by their imposing gabled facades, steeply pitched roofs, and the dramatic visual impact of their front-facing gable ends. The Nanafushigido exemplifies this style on a grand scale, with a building area of 337 square meters — making it one of the larger surviving examples of this regional vernacular architecture.

At the heart of the structure lies a magnificent 28-tatami great hall (hiroma) featuring powerful and heavy timber framing that showcases the structural artistry of Meiji-era carpentry. The quality of the building's materials is exceptional: the main structural members are crafted from premium Hokuriku zelkova (keyaki), while the floor pillar of the tokonoma alcove is made from betel nut palm (binrōju), and the ceiling boards are fashioned from Yakusugi cedar — ancient cedar from Yakushima Island that is now virtually impossible to obtain. These materials represent the highest standards of residential construction in their era.

Architectural Highlights and Features

The Nanafushigido Main House is a single-story structure with a partial second floor, built in the kirizuma-zukuri tsuma-iri style — meaning the main entrance faces the gable end of the building, a hallmark of the Azumadachi tradition. The roof is covered primarily with sanbon-gawara (pantile) roofing, with sections of copper plate roofing, and the building is surrounded by a protective lean-to roof (geya) on all sides.

The centerpiece of the interior is the expansive 28-tatami great hall, where the massive exposed beams and columns create a powerful visual impression. The robust framework of this hall is one of the most striking features of the building, demonstrating the structural engineering skills of Meiji-era master carpenters working in the Hokuriku tradition.

Surrounding the great hall are several refined tatami rooms (zashiki) of exceptional quality, featuring carefully selected materials and elegant proportions. The craftsmanship visible throughout the building — in the joinery, the choice of wood, and the proportional harmony of the spaces — reflects the wealth and cultural sophistication of the original Neo family household.

The building faces east, oriented toward the waters of Lake Kitagata, and its placement within the museum grounds provides views of both the lake and the forested island of Kashima no Mori, a designated Natural Monument known for its primeval broadleaf forest.

The Seven Wonders of Yoshizaki

The building's name, "Nanafushigido" (Hall of Seven Wonders), derives from its role as an exhibition space for the seven miraculous folk tales associated with Rennyo Shonin's years at Yoshizaki Gobo (1471–1475). These legends have been cherished by Jodo Shinshu followers for over five centuries and offer a fascinating window into the spiritual culture of the Hokuriku region.

Among the most famous of these tales is the story of the "Deer Guide" (Shika no Setsu), in which a sacred deer guided Rennyo through treacherous mountain paths to reach Yoshizaki. Another beloved legend is that of the "Fire-Extinguishing Crabs" (Hikeshi-gani), which tells how crabs carried water in their mouths to help extinguish a fire at Rennyo's temple, suffering burns that turned their claws red — said to be the origin of the distinctive red-clawed crabs still found near Yoshizaki today.

Perhaps the most dramatic tale is the "Flesh-Attached Demon Mask" (Yome-odoshi Nikuzuki-men), the story of a mother-in-law who tried to frighten her devout daughter-in-law away from Rennyo's teachings by wearing a demon mask — only to find the mask permanently fused to her face until she repented before Rennyo. The actual masks associated with this legend are preserved at Yoshizaki-ji Temple and Gankei-ji Temple nearby.

The tale of the "One-Sided Reeds" (Kataha no Ashi) recounts how, when Rennyo departed Yoshizaki by boat, a gust of wind blew all the lakeside reeds to one side so that his followers could see him clearly for a final farewell. Within the Nanafushigido, these legends were brought to life through displays of traditional Echizen washi paper art and Echizen bamboo dolls, showcasing the renowned craft traditions of Fukui Prefecture.

Yoshizaki Gobo and Rennyo Shonin

Yoshizaki Gobo holds a central place in the history of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Japan. In 1471, Rennyo (1415–1499), the 8th abbot of Hongan-ji Temple, fled religious persecution in Kyoto and established a new temple on a hilltop overlooking Lake Kitagata. During his four years at Yoshizaki, Rennyo transformed the Hongan-ji sect into a mass movement, attracting followers from across northern Japan by making Buddhist teachings accessible to common people through his pastoral letters (ofumi/gobunsho) and the distribution of scrolls bearing the nembutsu.

The Yoshizaki Gobo ruins are designated a National Historic Site and remain an important pilgrimage destination. The bronze statue of Rennyo atop the hill was created by the renowned sculptor Takamura Koun and erected in 1934. Each spring, the annual Rennyo Memorial Service draws pilgrims from across Japan, some walking the 240-kilometer route from Higashi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto to Yoshizaki — a tradition maintained for over 300 years.

The Rennyo Shonin Memorial Museum

The Yoshizaki Gobo Rennyo Shonin Memorial Museum, operated by the Honganji Cultural Promotion Foundation, opened in 1998 as Japan's only museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Rennyo. The museum complex originally comprised four halls: the Hōōkaku (Phoenix Pavilion), the Rennyo Hall, the Nanafushigido (Hall of Seven Wonders), and the Nature Hall.

The museum boasts the largest collection of Rennyo's handwritten myōgō (name scrolls of Namu Amida Butsu) in Japan. Visitors can also experience a restored diorama of the original Yoshizaki Gobo, view traditional craft exhibits, and even hear a reconstructed voice of Rennyo created using modern technology. The museum's Shinshu garden, designed in the Momoyama style, offers contemplative spaces for reflection, while the Hōōkaku pavilion, built entirely of Japanese cypress, provides panoramic views of Lake Kitagata and Kashima no Mori.

Visitor Information and Access

The Yoshizaki Gobo Rennyo Shonin Memorial Museum is located in the Yoshizaki area of Awara City, in the northern part of Fukui Prefecture near the border with Ishikawa Prefecture. The museum is situated adjacent to the Roadside Station "Rennyo no Sato Awara" (Michi no Eki), which provides convenient parking and visitor amenities.

The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Tuesdays (or the preceding day if Tuesday falls on a national holiday) and during the New Year holiday period (December 28 to January 2). General admission is 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students, with children under elementary school age admitted free. The museum is open every day during Golden Week, and group discounts are available.

By car, the museum is approximately 10 minutes from Hokuriku Expressway Kaga Interchange or 20 minutes from Kanazu Interchange. By public transportation, visitors can take a taxi from JR Awara Onsen Station or JR Kaga Onsen Station (approximately 15 minutes), or use the Kaga Sightseeing Bus "Can Bus" (Sea Route) to the Michi no Eki Rennyo no Sato Awara bus stop.

Surrounding Attractions

The Yoshizaki area offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The Yoshizaki Gobo Ruins atop Yoshizaki Hill provide sweeping views of Lake Kitagata and the surrounding landscape. The Nishi Betsuin (West Branch Temple) and Higashi Betsuin (East Branch Temple) of the Hongan-ji sect stand at the base of the hill and are important pilgrimage sites.

Kashima no Mori, a small forested island in Lake Kitagata visible from the museum grounds, is designated as both a National Natural Monument and a Scenic Spot. Its primeval broadleaf forest has been preserved for centuries due to its sacred associations.

Nearby Awara Onsen, known as the "hidden hot spring retreat of Kansai," offers excellent hot spring accommodations and has been welcoming visitors since the Meiji period. The dramatic Tojinbo Cliffs, one of Fukui Prefecture's most famous natural landmarks, are also within easy driving distance. For those interested in history, the Ichijodani Asakura Clan Ruins — an extensive archaeological site from the Sengoku period — can be reached in about 40 minutes by car.