What Is Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall?
Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall (本善寺蓮如堂, Honzen-ji Rennyo-dō) is a small one-bay hall at Honzenji in Iigai, Yoshino Town, Nara Prefecture, dedicated to the temple's founder Rennyo; built in 1747, it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on January 15, 2010.
It stands toward the east of the precinct against the foot of the hill. The temple also calls it the Kaikidō, or founder's hall, and explains that it houses a shrine cabinet holding a portrait statue of Rennyo. A covered passage links it to a larger worship hall in front, so that the two buildings work as one place of prayer.
Ornament Concentrated in a Tiny Hall
Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall is a single bay square, with a building area of only 9.2 square meters. Its pyramidal roof (Hōgyō-zukuri) is sheathed in copper, and the one-bay porch (Kōhai) at the front ends in a cusped gable along the eaves (Noki-karahafu).
A railed veranda runs round three sides and stops at small wing screens (Wakishōji). Bell-shaped windows (Katōmado) open in the side walls, and carving covers the paneled front doors (Sankarado). According to the temple, the main timbers are zelkova.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs registered Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall as a model of architectural form, under number 29-0150, noting that despite its size it carries the rich decoration suited to a hall enshrining a founder.
A Pair Built as One
A year after Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall went up, the worship hall in front was completed in 1748, according to the national database. The temple says the covered passage between them, with its own cusped gable, was added in 1881 and joined the two into a single composition.
A small inner hall for the founder behind a larger hall for worshippers is the pattern of a mausoleum, and the temple describes the pair as a rare survival of that type. Both buildings were thoroughly restored for the 500th memorial of Rennyo's death.
Seeing Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall
Because Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall sits behind the worship hall, from the front you see little more than the tip of its pyramidal roof. Walk round to either side to get close to the bell-shaped windows, the railed veranda and the curve of the eaves.
There is no set arrangement for viewing the shrine cabinet or the portrait inside. Ask the temple if you hope to pay your respects there. Directions to the grounds are on the Honzenji Temple page.
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Q&A
- What is enshrined in Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall?
- According to the temple, a shrine cabinet holding a portrait statue of the founder Rennyo. The temple also calls the building the founder's hall.
- When was Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall built?
- In 1747. The worship hall in front followed in 1748.
- How big is Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall?
- It is one bay square, with a building area of 9.2 square meters.
- What architectural details stand out at Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall?
- The pyramidal roof, the porch with a cusped gable, the railed veranda with wing screens, bell-shaped side windows and the carved front doors.
- How is Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall connected to the worship hall?
- By a covered passage with a cusped gable roof, which the temple says was added in 1881.
Basic Information
| Name | Honzenji Temple Rennyo Hall (本善寺蓮如堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 567 Iigai, Yoshino Town, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building), registration no. 29-0150 |
| Year Designated | Registered January 15, 2010 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Wooden, single story, copper roof; building area 9.2 square meters; with connecting passage (1 bay by 1 bay) |
| Owner | Honzenji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior visible from the grounds; no set arrangement for viewing the shrine cabinet |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: 本善寺蓮如堂 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008016
- Cultural Heritage Online: 本善寺蓮如堂 (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/140937
Last verified: 2026.09.27
