Shinjuan Kuri (Priests' Quarters)

About the Shinjuan Kuri (Priests' Quarters)

The Shinjuan Kuri (眞珠庵庫裏) is the priests' quarters of Shinjuan, a Daitokuji sub-temple in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto, built in 1609 and designated an Important Cultural Property on June 21, 1962. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that Shinjuan is the only Daitokuji sub-temple to keep its abbot's hall and kuri in their complete arrangement.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as 13.5 metres by 12.2 metres, single-storey, gabled with the entrance on the gable end, with eaves on the south, north and west, and shingle roofing. It is owned by Shinjuan, a sub-temple of Daitokuji whose main hall, Tsusen-in and kuri are all designated Important Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Was Designated

The Shinjuan Kuri was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1962. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Shinjuan is the only Daitokuji sub-temple to keep its abbot's hall and kuri in their complete arrangement. Older than the main hall, this 1609 building preserves the working quarters of the temple alongside the abbot's hall.

What to Look For

The Shinjuan Kuri is 13.5 metres by 12.2 metres, gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) with its entrance on the gable end and eaves on the south, north and west, under wood shingle (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Its broad gable front is the kuri's signature; seen beside the hip-and-gable main hall, it shows the basic pairing of abbot's hall and kuri in a Zen sub-temple.

Visiting the Shinjuan Kuri (Priests' Quarters)

According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Shinjuan can be visited by application. Check with the temple which parts, including the Shinjuan Kuri (Priests' Quarters), can be seen. Access details are on the Shinjuan page.