What Is Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository?
Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository (本善寺経蔵, Honzen-ji Kyōzō) is a hall for storing Buddhist scriptures in the northeast corner of Honzenji in Iigai, Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture; built in 1792, it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on January 15, 2010.
It rests on a platform of rough fieldstone (Nozurazumi). The building area is 41 square meters, and inside stands an octagonal revolving sutra case.
Pyramidal Roof and Revolving Case
Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository is square in plan, three bays each way, under a pyramidal roof (Hōgyō-zukuri) of traditional pantiles. The west side carries a cusped gable at the eaves (Noki-karahafu) over paneled doors (Sankarado) in the center, and bell-shaped windows (Katōmado) open in the flanking bays and in the middle of each side wall.
The single room inside has a board ceiling on battens. At its center is a rinzō, an eight-sided bookcase for the scriptures mounted on a pivot. Turning it has long been held to bring the same merit as reading every sutra it contains.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs registered Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository as a model of architectural form, under number 29-0152, and notes its calm, restrained exterior.
A Repository for Relics Today
According to the temple, Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository was restored in November 2004 and part of the interior was refitted at the same time to serve as an ossuary.
The temple says it holds relics of Shinran and Rennyo brought by Jikkō when he became resident priest, and a share of the remains of every later head of the Honganji. When members asked for a proper hall to keep them, the sutra repository was chosen. Remains of lay followers are now deposited here as well.
Seeing Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository
Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository is in the northeast corner of the grounds; turn right (east) after entering the main gate. Its entrance faces west into the precinct, so the best view of the gable, doors and matching windows is from inside the grounds. The fieldstone platform can be examined at close range.
Because the building now serves as an ossuary, check with the temple before hoping to see the revolving case inside. Directions to the grounds are on the Honzenji Temple page.
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Q&A
- When was Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository built?
- In 1792.
- What is inside Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository?
- An octagonal revolving sutra case. Since November 2004, according to the temple, part of the interior has served as an ossuary.
- What does Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository look like?
- A square building three bays each way with a pyramidal tiled roof, a cusped gable and paneled doors on the west, and bell-shaped windows.
- Where is Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository in the grounds?
- In the northeast corner, on a platform of rough fieldstone.
- Can I see inside Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository?
- It is used as an ossuary, so please ask the temple about viewing the interior.
Basic Information
| Name | Honzenji Temple Sutra Repository (本善寺経蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 567 Iigai, Yoshino Town, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building), registration no. 29-0152 |
| Year Designated | Registered January 15, 2010 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Wooden, single story, tiled roof; building area 41 square meters; with revolving sutra case (3 bays by 3 bays) |
| Owner | Honzenji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior visible from the grounds; interior used as an ossuary |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: 本善寺経蔵 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008018
- Cultural Heritage Online: 本善寺経蔵 (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/218859
Last verified: 2026.09.27
