A Hall Decorated in Plaster Relief
The Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall (證蓮寺聖徳太子堂) is a hall dedicated to Prince Shotoku of 1912 in Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 17, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber hall with a tiled roof and a building area of 29 square metres; registration number 20-0488.
A Small Hall Full of Plasterwork
The Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall faces north on the south side of the grounds; entered at the gable end under a gabled tiled roof, it has a porch-like lean-to at the front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Scrolling vines decorate the gable wall, and dragons in clouds and auspicious beasts in plaster relief fill the spaces between the brackets inside, so that the hall is lavishly decorated within and without (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It was rebuilt after a great fire with donations from the townspeople.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape, as a hall that shows refined plastering skills and recalls the temple's prosperity in its day.
What to Look For
Look for the vine scrolls on the gable wall and the plaster dragons and beasts between the brackets inside (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information from the temple on access to the grounds was found. The location is described on the Shorenji Temple page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Nagano
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall
- [ Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Hiking Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Shorenji Prince Shotoku Hall built?
- In 1912 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What should I look for at the Prince Shotoku Hall?
- The plaster reliefs of vines, dragons and beasts.
- Why was the Prince Shotoku Hall rebuilt?
- It was rebuilt after a great fire with donations from the townspeople.
- Where is the Prince Shotoku Hall at Shorenji?
- On the south side of the grounds, facing north.
- When was the Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall registered?
- On November 17, 2015 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall (證蓮寺聖徳太子堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Lot 1300 and others, Matsushiromachi Matsushiro, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2015/11/17 (Heisei 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, 29 m² |
| Owner | Shorenji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Access arrangements unconfirmed |
References
- Shorenji Temple Prince Shotoku Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010776
Last verified: 2026.10.15
