A Painted Nichiren Hall in Central Nara
The Renchoji Temple Main Hall (蓮長寺本堂) is the main hall of a Nichiren temple of 1653 in Aburasakacho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on January 13, 1988 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey hall 19.9 by 18.6 metres under a hip-and-gable roof of hongawara tiles, with a one-bay porch; 1 ridge plaque and 1 old round tile are designated with it; designation number 02196.
A Nichiren Hall Open at the Front
Renchoji is a Nichiren temple in central Nara, and its main hall, built in 1653, is open at the front in the usual Nichiren manner (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The building is of high quality: colour is applied not only inside but also to the open front bays exposed to the weather, and the ceilings are painted with celestial maidens, dragons, phoenixes and kalavinka birds (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values its quality and brilliance, and the fact that its main parts have been little altered. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on January 13, 1988.
What to Look For
Look for the painted decoration of the open front bays and the celestial maidens, dragons and phoenixes on the ceilings (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on visiting the hall was found.
Q&A
- When was the Renchoji main hall built?
- In 1653 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What school does Renchoji belong to?
- The Nichiren school.
- What should I look for?
- The painted front bays and ceilings of maidens and dragons.
- Where is it?
- In Aburasakacho, central Nara City.
- When was the Renchoji Temple Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On January 13, 1988 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Renchoji Temple Main Hall (蓮長寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Aburasakacho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1988/01/13 (Showa 63) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 ridge plaque and 1 old round tile) |
| Dimensions | 19.9 by 18.6 m, single storey, hip-and-gable, 1-bay porch, hongawara tiles |
| Owner | Renchoji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Renchoji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2571
Last verified: 2026.10.18