Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository

A Storehouse for Scriptures

The Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository (蓮華峰寺経蔵) is a storehouse-type sutra repository of the mid-Edo period in the precinct of Rengebuji Temple in Kobie, Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 21, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey building of earthen storehouse construction with a tiled roof and a building area of 34 square metres; registration number 15-0124.

A Storehouse with a Porch

The Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository stands north of the bell tower: a gabled, pantiled storehouse entered at the gable end, with a one-bay porch at the front (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The scriptures were kept in a fire-resistant earthen storehouse.

The style of the porch details places it in the mid-Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Was Registered

The Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository was registered as a model of form. The Agency calls it a good example of the storehouse-type sutra repository found at early modern temples.

What to Look For

Outside it is a plastered storehouse, but inside it is lined with boards, with a finished ridge beam and exposed rafters set every half bay (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

From the front of the Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository, notice how the timber porch is fixed to the heavy earthen walls.

Visiting

The Rengebuji Temple Sutra Repository stands north of the bell tower in the Rengebuji precinct, and its exterior can be seen within the grounds. No official information on interior access was found. Directions to the temple are given on the Rengebuji Temple page.