National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties · Nara

Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository

Todaiji Hokkedo Sutra Repository: An Early Heian Azekura Storehouse

Todaiji's Hokkedo Sutra Repository, an early Heian azekura three bays square beside the Hokkedo: how it is built, how it compares with Todaiji's other log stores.

Designation National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Location Nara

Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository: An Early Heian Log Storehouse

The Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository (東大寺法華堂経庫, Hokkedō Kyōko) is an early Heian-period sutra storehouse of azekura log construction attached to the Hokkedō on the Jōin terrace of Todaiji in Zoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, designated an Important Cultural Property in 1902.

A kyōko is a storehouse for sutras. The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates the Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository to the early Heian period (794 to 929), so the oldest building at Todaiji has, close by, a storehouse not far behind it in age.

How It Is Built

The Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository is three bays square, an azekura under a hipped roof of clay tiles. Azekura walls are built of timbers triangular in section, stacked and interlocked; a store with a single chamber is called a tansō, a single storehouse.

Outside, the edges of the triangular logs run in horizontal ridges, and at the corners the log ends interlock alternately. Seen at an angle, the ridges cast shadows that stripe the walls.

Three Single Storehouses Compared

According to the Agency, Todaiji keeps three single-chamber azekura: this one, the Kanjinsho Sutra Repository and the Honbō Sutra Repository. The Kanjinsho storehouse is also three bays square and early Heian, the same size and age as the Hokkedō one.

The Honbō Sutra Repository, by contrast, is three bays by two and dated to the Nara period. The Agency calls it the largest of the three, which suggests the bays differ in actual width even where the count is the same. Taken together, the three show that Todaiji went on building azekura from the Nara period into the early Heian.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1902, on the same day as the Kanjinsho Sutra Repository, under the Ancient Shrines and Temples Preservation Law of the time.

It is an azekura going back to the early Heian period, and it also preserves the pairing of a Nara-period hall with its own sutra store.

Seeing the Hokkedo Sutra Repository

The interior of the Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository is not open, and the temple's visitor information lists no public access. Its outside can be seen free from the grounds beside the Hokkedō.

The ridged log walls show best in low morning or evening light. After visiting the Hokkedō, step outside to look at the storehouse walls up close. The Hokkedō is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for 800 yen (adults, checked October 2026). Directions are on the Todaiji Temple page.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Nara: Find tours, activities & transport passes near Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository; [ Todaiji Great Buddha & Nara Park Deer Experience ]

Q&A

QWhen was the Todaiji Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository built?: AThe Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Heian period (794 to 929).

QWhat is azekura construction in the Todaiji Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository?: AWalls of timbers triangular in section, stacked and interlocked. This one is a single-chamber storehouse three bays square.

QHow does the Todaiji Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository differ from the Honbo Sutra Repository?: AThe Hokkedō store is three bays square and early Heian; the Honbō store is three by two and Nara period, and the Agency says it is the largest of the three.

QWhen was the Todaiji Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository designated?: AIn 1902, on the same day as the Kanjinsho Sutra Repository.

QCan I see inside the Todaiji Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository?: ANo. The interior is closed, but the outside is visible free beside the Hokkedō.

Basic Information

Name	Todaiji Temple Hokkedo Hall Sutra Repository
Location	Zoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Designation	Important Cultural Property
Year Designated	1902
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	3 x 3 bays, azekura log construction, hipped roof, clay tiles
Owner	Todaiji Temple
Public Access	Interior closed. Exterior visible free from the grounds