A Soto Zen Hall of 1778
The Ioji Temple Main Hall (医王寺本堂) is a standard Soto Zen temple hall of 1778 in Ouchicho Kuroiwa, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 10, 2010 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 223 square metres, altered in 1910, 1963 and 1981; registration number 41-0078.
A Six-Room Plan
The Ioji Temple Main Hall faces west at the back centre of the precincts, a single-storey hall 15 by 14 metres under a pantiled hip-and-gable roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It has a six-room plan in the abbot's-quarters style, with a broad veranda and an earth-floored area across the front two bays. The altar platform backs onto the inner sanctuary, its pillars carry simple bracket sets, and round columns with tie beams divide the sanctuary from the main room in front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that it is a standard example of a Soto Zen temple hall, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the front veranda and earth-floored area and the round columns and beams before the sanctuary (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ioji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The hall and the gate are covered together on the Ioji Temple group page.
Q&A
- When was the Ioji Temple Main Hall built?
- In 1778, with alterations in 1910, 1963 and 1981 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Which school does Ioji belong to?
- The Soto school of Zen.
- What is its plan?
- Six rooms in the abbot's-quarters style, with a veranda and earth floor in front.
- How large is it?
- 15 by 14 metres.
- When was the Ioji Temple Main Hall registered?
- On September 10, 2010 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ioji Temple Main Hall (医王寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 183 Ouchicho Kuroiwa, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2010/09/10 (Heisei 22) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, tiled roof, 223 m² |
| Owner | Ioji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Ioji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008381
Last verified: 2026.10.19
