Rengeoin Temple Earthen Wall (Taiko Wall)

The Toyotomi Wall of Sanjusangendo

The Rengeoin Temple Earthen Wall (Taiko Wall) (蓮華王院築地塀（太閤塀）, Rengeoin tsuijibei) is a Momoyama-period rammed-earth wall at Rengeoin, better known as Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂), in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and it was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 29, 1937. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as 29 ken long with a tiled roof. The Agency's register writes the name as 太閣塀, though it is usually written 太閤塀, after Hideyoshi's title, Taiko.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency's commentary, the wall was built together with the South Gate to mark the southern boundary of the site when Toyotomi Hideyoshi laid out a vast temple complex in Higashiyama around a huge new Buddha hall and absorbed Sanjusangendo into it.

Why the Taiko Wall Matters

A tsuijibei is a wall of rammed earth capped with a roof of tiles. The Taiko Wall at Rengeoin preserves the southern edge of the precinct the Toyotomi family created, and the Kyoto City Tourism Association lists it, with the South Gate, among the structures associated with Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi's great hall is gone, and most of his complex with it. The wall, running 29 ken, and the South Gate are what still hold the southern outline of the Momoyama precinct, which makes the wall essential for reading the two historical layers around Sanjusangendo's main hall.

What to Look For

In front of the Rengeoin Temple Earthen Wall, follow its length and roofline. A tiled roof sits on the earthen wall and runs straight on for 29 ken.

The wall stands near the South Gate. Seen together, gate and wall make it clear that they were built to mark the southern boundary of the site. Look north and the long main hall rebuilt in the Kamakura period stretches across the view, so the Momoyama wall and the Kamakura hall can be taken in at once.

Visiting the Taiko Wall

The Rengeoin Temple Earthen Wall stands on the south side of Sanjusangendo. No official guidance was found on access to the wall on its own, so the surest way is to visit it along with the main hall. Main hall hours, admission and access are on the Rengeoin Temple (Sanjusangendo) page.