National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties · Kanagawa

Former Tomyoji Temple Main Hall

Former Tomyoji Main Hall, Sankeien: A Muromachi Hall from Kyoto

The former main hall of Tomyoji at Sankeien in Yokohama, an early Muromachi hall from Kizugawa in Kyoto, was rebuilt here in 1987 and restored to its medieval form.

Designation National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Location Kanagawa

A Medieval Temple Hall Restored to Its First Form

The Former Tomyoji Temple Main Hall (旧燈明寺本堂) is the main hall of a medieval esoteric temple moved from Tomyoji in Kyoto of the early Muromachi period in Honmoku Sannotani, Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 30, 1921 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey hall of five bays by six under a hip-and-gable roof of tiles; designation number 00742.

The 1921 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.

Restored to a Medieval Esoteric Hall

The former main hall of Tomyoji is an early Muromachi hall of five bays by six, single-storey under a hip-and-gable roof of tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

According to Sankeien, it stood at Tomyoji in Kizugawa, Kyoto Prefecture; after the temple declined from the Meiji era, it was damaged by a typhoon just after the Second World War and dismantled. Its rebuilding at Sankeien was completed in 1987, restoring the form of a medieval esoteric temple. The eaves tiles bear the medieval temple name Tomyoji written with different characters, and great tie beams free the outer sanctuary of inner posts.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the early Muromachi date and the five-by-six-bay structure set out what was designated.

What to Look For

Look for the tiled hip-and-gable roof and the wide outer sanctuary spanned by great beams (Sankeien).

Visiting

It is owned by the Sankeien Hoshokai Foundation (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the Sankeien website, the garden is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30) and closed from December 26 to 31; admission is 900 yen for adults (high-school age and over) and 200 yen for primary and junior high school pupils. Each building is introduced together on the Sankeien page.

Q&A

QWhen was it built?: AIn the early Muromachi period.

QWhere was it first?: AAt Tomyoji in Kizugawa, Kyoto.

QWhen was it moved here?: AThe move was completed in 1987.

QWhat was done in the move?: AIt was restored to its medieval form.

QWhen was the Former Tomyoji Temple Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?: AOn April 30, 1921 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Basic Information

Name	Former Tomyoji Temple Main Hall (旧燈明寺本堂)
Location	58-1 Honmoku Sannotani, Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Designation	Important Cultural Property (Structure)
Year Designated	Designated 1921/04/30 (Taisho 10)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	5 × 6 bays, single-storey, hip-and-gable, tiles
Owner	Sankeien Hoshokai Foundation
Public Access	By bus from Yokohama, Sakuragicho and other stations (Sankeien)