A Hall of the Nishina Culture in Azumino
The Matsuoji Temple Main Hall (松尾寺本堂) is a three-bay square Buddhist hall of 1528 in Hotaka Ariake, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 27, 1959 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The year is from the date field of the Agency database.
The Agency records a single-storey hall three bays square under a hipped copper roof; designation number 01443.
A Plain Three-Bay Hall
The Matsuoji Temple Main Hall in Hotaka Ariake, Azumino, is a hall three bays square, with posts set along the edge of the veranda to support the eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is single-storeyed under a hipped copper roof.
The Agency's commentary says the hall is said to have been built in 1526 and that its style also points to the end of the Muromachi period; the date field of the database gives 1528.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency notes its plain workmanship and strong regional character and values it as a relic of the culture of the Nishina clan in the Azumi region; it was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 27, 1959.
What to Look For
Look for the posts holding up the eaves at the veranda edge and the simple hipped roof over the square hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on visiting or access to the interior was found.
Q&A
- When was the Matsuoji Temple Main Hall built?
- The database gives 1528; the commentary says it is said to date from 1526.
- Where is the Matsuoji Temple Main Hall?
- In Hotaka Ariake, Azumino, Nagano Prefecture.
- What is special about the Matsuoji Main Hall?
- A plain three-bay hall with eave posts and strong regional character.
- Why is the Matsuoji Main Hall important?
- It is a relic of the culture of the Nishina clan in the Azumi region.
- When was the Matsuoji Temple Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 27, 1959 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Matsuoji Temple Main Hall (松尾寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hotaka Ariake, Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1959/06/27 (Showa 34) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 3 by 3 bays, single storey, hipped copper roof |
| Owner | Matsuoji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Matsuoji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1016
Last verified: 2026.10.16