National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties · Niigata

Rengebuji Temple Kobodo

Rengebuji Temple Kobodo: A 1609 Hall for Kōbō Daishi on Sado

The Rengebuji Temple Kobodo on Sado, built in 1609, houses a seated Kōbō Daishi and is an Important Cultural Property: a square hall under a pyramidal shingle roof.

Designation National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties

Location Niigata

The Hall of Kōbō Daishi, 1609

The Rengebuji Temple Kobodo (蓮華峰寺弘法堂) is a Buddhist hall of 1609 in the precinct of Rengebuji Temple in Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 14, 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey hall three bays square with a pyramidal (hogyo) roof of thick wooden shingles (tochi-buki); designation number 00357.

The Hall of the Founder

The Rengebuji Temple Kobodo houses a seated image of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) as its principal object of worship (Sado Sightseeing Navi). Rengebuji is said to have been founded by Kūkai, and the Kobodo is the hall dedicated to him.

The Agency describes the Mumyo Bridge as lying on the approach to the Kobodo in the inner precinct, which places the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo at the temple's inner sanctuary.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Rengebuji Temple Kobodo was designated with the Kondo in 1906. It is a Momoyama-period hall with a firm date of 1609 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

What to Look For

The square, three-bay hall carries a pyramidal roof whose four slopes rise to a single point, covered in tochi-buki, layers of thick wooden boards (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The way to the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo crosses the stone Mumyo Bridge, and the walk from the bridge to the hall sets the mood of an inner sanctuary.

Visiting

The Rengebuji Temple Kobodo stands in the inner precinct, and its exterior can be seen from the approach path. No official information on interior access was found. Directions to the temple are given on the Rengebuji Temple page.

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Q&A

QWhen was the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo built?: AIn 1609 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

QWhat is enshrined in the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo?: AA seated image of Kōbō Daishi as the principal image (Sado Sightseeing Navi).

QWhat does the Kobodo look like?: AA square three-bay hall with a pyramidal roof of thick wooden shingles.

QHow do I reach the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo?: AIt is in the inner precinct, beyond the stone Mumyo Bridge on the approach path.

QWhen was the Rengebuji Temple Kobodo designated an Important Cultural Property?: AOn April 14, 1906 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Basic Information

Name	Rengebuji Temple Kobodo (蓮華峰寺弘法堂)
Location	Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture
Designation	Important Cultural Property (Structure)
Year Designated	Designated 1906/04/14 (Meiji 39)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	Three bays by three bays, single storey, pyramidal roof, thick wooden shingles
Owner	Rengebuji Temple
Public Access	Exterior visible within the precinct