Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall

About Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall

Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall (無量寺宝物殿, Muryō-ji Hōmotsuden) is a Dozo-zukuri fireproof storehouse at a Sōtō school Zen temple in Aida, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture; dated by its ridge tag to 1830, it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on November 10, 2005.

It is a two-storey building north of the priests' quarters, with a building area of 26 square meters. Matsumoto City gives its frontage as 17 shaku 2 sun and its depth as 14 shaku 7 sun.

The frame and the inner and outer walls were repaired in 1992.

Why Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall Was Registered

The treasure hall was registered as no. 20-0197, as a model of design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes first that its date is secure, thanks to the ridge tag, and describes the whole building as carefully made.

The gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof runs east to west and is laid with Sangawara-buki pantiles. A doorway with a small pent roof opens in the middle of the south side. The walls are finished in Shikkui lime plaster, the lower walls on all four sides are clad in Namako-kabe tile and raised-plaster lattice, and a thick Hachimaki band of plaster runs under the eaves.

What to Look for at Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall

The door and window openings are framed with raised surrounds, so each opening stands out crisply against the white plaster.

The lattice skirting goes all the way around. The storehouse elsewhere on the grounds has it on only three sides and no windows at all; seen one after the other, the treasure hall is clearly the more carefully finished of the two.

Under the eaves, the heavy plaster band gives the top of the white walls a firm edge, and with the sheltered doorway on the south, this small building presents a well-ordered front.

Visiting Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall

No published information covers opening Muryoji Temple Treasure Hall or showing its contents. If you would like to see inside, ask the temple before your visit.

The exterior is best seen from the south, where the sheltered doorway, the framed openings and the lattice skirting come into view together. The building stands north of the priests' quarters. Directions and contact details are on the Muryoji Temple page.