A Small Pavilion of Zelkova
The Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion (萩原寺手水舎) is a water pavilion for ritual hand-washing of about 1936 in Hagiwara, Onohara-cho, Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records construction around 1936, and describes a timber structure with a tile roof, an area of 5.0 square metres and a stone water basin; registration number 37-0405.
A Small Pavilion Built of Zelkova
The Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion stands south of the main hall, its ridge running east to west (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It has a gabled roof of interlocking pantiles; square posts on stone bases are splayed inward and locked together by head beams and a daiwa plate.
At each corner a large bearing block with a dish-shaped base carries a triple bracket set that supports the purlins and beams; Kaerumata struts fill the spaces between, and curved rafters are set widely apart under the eaves. The timber is fine zelkova (Agency for Cultural Affairs), and the stone water basin is included in the registration.
Why It Was Registered
The Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country (Agency for Cultural Affairs), which praises its sound, restrained design in fine zelkova.
It is the youngest of the seven registered buildings at Hagiwaraji. The council report stresses that the temple buildings were added and maintained without a break over the early modern and modern periods, and this pavilion shows that work continuing well into the Showa era.
What to Look For
The Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion covers only about 5.0 square metres, yet its bracketing is fully worked out. Look closely at the corner bracket sets and the struts between them.
Under the eaves the curved rafters are spaced apart rather than packed tight. The posts rise from stone bases and lean slightly inward.
Visiting
The Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion stands south of the main hall where visitors can approach it from the grounds. No official information was found on when the basin may be used. Directions to the temple and its yearly events are gathered on the Hagiwaraji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion built?
- Around 1936 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion?
- South of the main hall, with its ridge running east to west (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What wood was used for the Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion?
- Fine zelkova (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the Japanese name of the Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion read?
- The Agency gives the reading Hagiwaraji temizusha.
- When was the Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion registered?
- On December 19, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion (萩原寺手水舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2737-1 Hagiwara, Onohara-cho, Kannonji City, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered December 19, 2014 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tile roof, area 5.0 m², with water basin |
| Owner | Religious Corporation Hagiwaraji Temple |
| Public Access | Visible from the grounds |
References
- Hagiwaraji Temple Purification Pavilion (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010365
- Registration of Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), Council for Cultural Affairs report of July 18, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/bunkasingi_tousin_140718.pdf
Last verified: 2026.11.01
