One of Two Surviving Nara-Period Octagons
The Eizanji Temple Octagonal Hall (榮山寺八角堂) is an octagonal hall of the Nara period of around 760 to 764 in Kojimacho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey octagonal hall with a roof of full tiles, designated together with a fragment (the jewel) of its old stone finial base; designation number 00069.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of March 27, 1901, the date of its designation under the former law.
Built by Nakamaro for His Father
Eizanji is said to have been founded by Fujiwara no Muchimaro, and the Octagonal Hall was built by his son Nakamaro for his late father, probably between 760 and 764 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It was repaired in the 1080s and 1090s, in 1549 and again in the Edo period.
It is an octagonal hall whose pillars are all octagonal, with board doors on four sides and lattice windows of an early type between them (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The brackets are three-part, with posts between them, and a stone finial base sits at the top of the tiled roof; the present one is a Meiji replacement, and the broken old base is kept separately.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency notes that, though simple in structure, it is with the Yumedono of Horyuji a precious survival among Nara-period octagonal halls.
A Clever Inner Frame and Fine Paintings
Inside, four inner pillars are joined to the outer ones by tie beams, and a canopy hangs like a ceiling over the inner sanctuary (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The inner frame is cleverly built, with great beams set in a square on top of bearing blocks and further blocks carrying purlins arranged in an octagon. Fine painted decoration survives on the canopy, the inner pillars and the tie beams.
What to Look For
Look for the inner frame of square beams and octagonal purlins and the painted decoration on the canopy and pillars (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Eizanji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The Octagonal Hall and the stone pagoda are introduced together on the Eizanji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the hall built?
- Probably between 760 and 764.
- Who built it?
- Fujiwara no Nakamaro, for his late father Muchimaro.
- Why is it precious?
- With the Yumedono of Horyuji it is a rare Nara-period octagon.
- What else is designated with it?
- A fragment of the old stone finial base.
- When was the Eizanji Temple Octagonal Hall designated a National Treasure?
- On March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Eizanji Temple Octagonal Hall (榮山寺八角堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kojimacho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1952/03/29 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 fragment of the old finial base) |
| Dimensions | Octagonal hall, single storey, full tiles |
| Owner | Eizanji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Eizanji Temple Octagonal Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2655
Last verified: 2026.10.24
