Muryoji Temple Storehouse

About Muryoji Temple Storehouse

Muryoji Temple Storehouse (無量寺土蔵, Muryō-ji Dozō) is a storehouse at a Sōtō school Zen temple in Aida, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture; built in the early Taisho era (the national database gives 1912 to 1925), it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on November 10, 2005.

It is a two-storey Dozo-zukuri building set against the southeast corner of the priests' quarters, with a building area of 33 square meters. Matsumoto City gives its frontage as 24 shaku and its depth as 15 shaku. It is the only one of the six buildings put up in the Taisho era rather than the Edo period.

Why Muryoji Temple Storehouse Was Registered

The storehouse was registered as no. 20-0198, as a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs singles out its strict, solid construction.

The gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof runs east to west and is laid with Sangawara-buki pantiles. The doorway is on the north side under a small pent roof. The walls are plastered in Shikkui right up to the rafters, and the lower walls on the south, west and north are clad in Namako-kabe lattice. Apart from the door, there are no openings at all.

Built Up on a Stone Base

What catches the eye at Muryoji Temple Storehouse is its south foundation. The building stands where the grounds fall away, so on that side it rests on a tall wall of Tanizumi diagonal masonry that lifts the white walls well above the ground.

Matsumoto City notes a lean-to projecting from the east end of the north side, 6 shaku north to south and 12 shaku 5 sun east to west, with an area of 6.8 square meters. The city also says the skirting has been left at the base-coat stage for lattice work. Since the Agency describes lattice skirting on the south, west and north walls, the city's remark most likely refers to the lean-to.

The treasure hall on the same grounds was built in 1830, with lattice skirting on all four sides and framed doors and windows. Set beside this windowless storehouse, it shows how differently two storehouses built more than 80 years apart were finished.

Visiting Muryoji Temple Storehouse

No published information covers opening the interior of Muryoji Temple Storehouse, so plan to view it from outside.

The masonry base is on the south side; if you can find a spot below it, the height of the wall is striking. The doorway and its pent roof are on the north side, facing the priests' quarters. Directions and contact details are on the Muryoji Temple page.