Joruriji Temple Main Hall (Kutaiji Main Hall)

The Only Surviving Hall of Nine Amidas

The Joruriji Temple Main Hall (Kutaiji Main Hall) (浄瑠璃寺本堂（九体寺本堂）) is the late Heian main hall of Joruriji in Nishi, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, which in 1952 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single-storey hipped hall eleven bays by four with a one-bay porch and traditional tile roof.

According to the Agency, a new hall and images were made in 1107 and consecrated the following year, and the hall was moved in 1157 to its present site on the west bank of the pond.

The Hall

According to the Agency, it has boat-shaped arms only at the corners and a gently pitched hipped tile roof. Inside, an altar runs the full nine bays of an inner sanctuary nine bays by two, with nine Amida images in a single row, a magnificent sight.

Both sanctuaries have exposed roof structures, with simple rafter trusses on the great beams of the inner sanctuary carrying the ridge, raised a step over the central image. It was repaired in 1328, and a one-bay porch was added at the centre of the front in the Edo period.

What to Look For

The Agency explains that the long, narrow plan was needed to house nine Amida images; many such halls were built at the time, but this is the only one to survive.

The Kizugawa City Tourism Association notes that restoration of the nine seated Amidas was completed in December 2023, and all nine are together again.

Visiting the Joruriji Temple Main Hall (Kutaiji Main Hall)

The tourism association notes that main hall admission closes at 4:30 p.m. from March to November and 3:30 p.m. from December to February; admission is 500 yen.

The temple's history and visiting information are on the Joruriji group page.