National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties · Nara

Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall

Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall: A 1237 Hall and Its Jizō on the Bell Tower Hill

Todaiji's Nenbutsu Hall, a three-bay hall of 1237 enshrining a Jizō carved the same year: its stepped Genroku-era roof, its place on the bell hill and hours.

Designation National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Location Nara

Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall: A Kamakura-Period Hall Beside the Bell Tower

The Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall (東大寺念仏堂, Nembutsu-dō) is an early Kamakura-period Buddhist hall built in 1237 just east of the Bell Tower at Todaiji in Zoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and designated an Important Cultural Property in 1903.

The temple says the Nenbutsu Hall was originally called the Jizōdō, the Jizō Hall. It enshrines a seated Jizō Bosatsu (Kṣitigarbha) carved in 1237 by the sculptor Kōsei, itself an Important Cultural Property. The Agency for Cultural Affairs gives the same year for the building, so hall and image both date from the early thirteenth century.

A Square Hall With a Stepped Roof

The Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall is three bays square, a single storey under a hipped roof of clay tiles.

According to the temple, the roof was changed in the Genroku era (1688 to 1704) to the Shikoro-buki form, in which the slope breaks partway down into a small step, like the neck guard (shikoro) of a samurai helmet. Look at the Nenbutsu Hall from the side and you can see the roof plane shift. The Genroku years were also when Kōkei's rebuilding of the Great Buddha Hall was under way.

Why the Nenbutsu Hall Is an Important Cultural Property

The Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1903, under the Ancient Shrines and Temples Preservation Law of the time. Its value lies in being a hall of the early thirteenth century, from the decades of rebuilding after the 1180 fire under Chōgen and Eisai, that still keeps its original main image.

Todaiji's best-known Kamakura buildings, the Great South Gate and the Bell Tower, are statements of the Great Buddha style. The Nenbutsu Hall is different: a modest three-bay hall that speaks for the everyday worship of the medieval temple among its giant neighbours.

What to See at the Nenbutsu Hall

The Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall stands on Shōrō-ga-oka, the bell tower hill, east of the Bell Tower. West of the Bell Tower is the Shunjōdō, dedicated to Chōgen, so the three buildings line up along the hilltop.

From the front the hall looks reserved; from the side, the step in the shikoro-buki roof stands out. The seated Jizō, made in the same year as the building, is worth seeing together with it.

Visiting the Nenbutsu Hall

The temple lists the Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall's hours as 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Photography, sketching and flashlights are not allowed inside. A goshuin temple seal reading Jizō Bosatsu is offered here.

The exterior can be seen free. Hours, fees and directions for the rest of Todaiji are on the Todaiji Temple page.

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

Q&A

QWhen was the Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall built?: AThe Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to 1237. The seated Jizō inside was carved the same year by the sculptor Kōsei.

QWhy was the Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall called the Jizodo?: AAccording to the temple, it was originally called the Jizō Hall after its main image, a seated Jizō Bosatsu.

QWhat is special about the roof of the Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall?: AIn the Genroku era (1688 to 1704) it was changed to the stepped shikoro-buki form, which is easy to see from the side.

QWhat are the visiting hours of the Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall?: AThe temple lists 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Photography is not allowed inside.

QWhere is the Todaiji Nenbutsu Hall?: AOn the hill east of the Great Buddha Hall, just east of the Bell Tower. The Shunjōdō is on the other side of the Bell Tower.

Basic Information

Name	Todaiji Temple Nenbutsu Hall
Location	Zoshicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture
Designation	Important Cultural Property
Year Designated	1903
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	3 x 3 bays, single storey, hipped roof, clay tiles
Owner	Todaiji Temple
Public Access	Hours 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (temple information). Exterior free to see. No photography inside