Futaiji Temple Main Hall

The Main Hall of Narihira's Temple

The Futaiji Temple Main Hall (不退寺本堂) is the main hall of a temple associated with Ariwara no Narihira of the early Muromachi period in Horencho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on February 18, 1904 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records five bays by four, single-storey, with a hipped roof of full tiles; designation number 00288.

The 1904 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.

The Main Hall of a Temple Linked to Narihira

The Futaiji Temple Main Hall is five bays by four, with a hipped roof of full tiles, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Muromachi period. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, Futaiji is said to have been founded in 847 by the early Heian poet and courtier Ariwara no Narihira; the land had belonged to Emperor Heizei and passed to Prince Abo and then to Narihira.

The Japan Tourism Agency notes that the hall houses statues including a wooden Kannon said to have been carved by Narihira himself, and that the temple is known for its grounds planted with some 500 kinds of flowers and trees.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is an early Muromachi main hall, five bays by four, with a hipped roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

What to Look For

Look at the low, broad hipped roof of full tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Futaiji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The main hall, pagoda and south gate are introduced together on the Futaiji Temple page.