What Is the Sojiji Shoryo?
The Sojiji Shoryo (總持寺衆寮, Shōryō; the temple's map reads it Shuryo) is the monks' study hall of Sojiji Temple in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, built in 1915 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2005.
It stands southwest of the Buddha Hall, facing east, a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 373 square meters. The Daisodo monks' hall lies directly to its south, and the Bell and Drum Tower stands between it and the Hokodo.
In a Zen monastery the shoryo is where monks read sutras and the records of the patriarchs. Dogen set out rules for conduct in such a hall, and it has long been paired with the meditation hall: one for sitting, one for study. The Sojiji Shoryo carries that tradition into the Taisho-era head temple.
Why the Shoryo Was Registered
The Sojiji Shoryo was listed as a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a nearly square plan under a hip-and-gable roof (Irimoya-zukuri) of pantiles (Sangawara-buki), an interior that is mostly earth-floored (Doma) with tatami platforms along the walls, and a high batten ceiling (Saobuchi-tenjō).
The outside is plain: a single layer of widely spaced rafters (Taruki), square posts, simple boat-shaped bearing blocks along the sides, and many horizontal-slat sliding doors (Mairado). The Agency calls it a clear, simple residential form.
Next door, the Daisodo wears full Zen detailing, with bell-shaped windows and inserted brackets. The Sojiji Shoryo is deliberately closer to a house. Giving the meditation hall and the study hall different levels of formality shows how the precinct as a whole was thought through.
What to Look For at the Shoryo
Look at the bearing blocks sitting on the posts and at the generously spaced rafters under the eaves. With ornament kept to a minimum, the rhythm of the members is the building's face.
The slatted sliding doors running along the sides recall the verandas of a traditional house. Compare them with the bell-shaped windows of the Daisodo to its south and the difference in character is obvious.
The hip-and-gable roof over a near-square plan looks settled from every side, and the high ceiling can be read as a way of keeping reading voices from sounding cramped.
Visiting the Sojiji Shoryo
The Sojiji Shoryo is used by the monks. Its exterior can be seen on the west side of the precinct, north of the Daisodo; it faces east and is brightest in the morning.
The temple's visitor information does not list its interior as open. Monks move through this area, so walk quietly and take photos without getting in the way of practice. Ask the reception desk about interior access when booking the guided building tour. Directions are on the Sojiji Temple page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Kanagawa
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Sojiji Shoryo
- [ Kamakura Buddha Hakone Onsen & Yokohama Tours ]
Q&A
- What is the Sojiji Shoryo?
- It is the hall where trainee monks read sutras and Zen records. It was built in 1915 and faces east, southwest of the Buddha Hall.
- How is Sojiji Shoryo pronounced?
- The national database gives Shoryo; the temple's precinct map gives Shuryo.
- How does the Sojiji Shoryo differ from the Daisodo?
- The Daisodo, the meditation hall, has Zen-style details such as bell-shaped windows, while the Sojiji Shoryo uses a simple residential form with square posts and slatted sliding doors.
- When was the Sojiji Shoryo registered?
- It was registered on 12 July 2005 as a model of design.
- Can I go inside the Sojiji Shoryo?
- The temple's visitor information does not list the interior as open. The exterior is visible from the grounds; ask the reception desk about access.
Basic Information
| Name | Sojiji Shoryo (總持寺衆寮) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-1-1 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | 2005 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single-storey; building area 373 square meters |
| Owner | Religious Corporation Daihonzan Sojiji |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable from the grounds; no published interior access |
References
- Sojiji Shoryo - Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004721
- Precinct Map (Japanese) - Sotoshu Daihonzan Sojiji
- https://www.sojiji.jp/map/
- Visiting Information (Japanese) - Sotoshu Daihonzan Sojiji
- https://www.sojiji.jp/visit/
Last verified: 2026.09.16
