A Main Hall of the Koto Sanzan Temples
The Hyakusaiji Temple Main Hall (百済寺本堂) is the main hall of a Tendai temple of 1650 in Hyakusaijicho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 10, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a hall 5 bays by 5 with a rear extension and a hip-and-gable roof of cypress bark, with a cusped eave gable at the front; designation number 02457.
One of the Three Temples of Koto
According to the Agency's commentary, Hyakusaiji is a Tendai temple on the western slopes of the Suzuka Mountains east of Lake Biwa, known with two neighbouring temples as the Koto Sanzan, the three mountain temples east of the lake. Its founding is traditionally attributed to Prince Shotoku; the earliest record dates from 1089.
After the whole temple was burned by Oda Nobunaga, a leading disciple of the priest Tenkai began rebuilding the main hall, and the dedication of the main hall, the Nio gate and other buildings was held in 1650 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A railing finial is inscribed 1652, and the fittings took several more years to complete.
The hall faces west, and its depth is divided into an outer sanctuary, an inner sanctuary and a rear sanctuary, where the principal image, a standing Eleven-Headed Kannon, is enshrined (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values it as an early modern building that follows the medieval tradition of Buddhist halls, keeping the contrast between a closed inner sanctuary and an open outer one, while achieving a plain, clear composition, and as a leading example of how medieval hall forms changed in the early modern period.
What to Look For
Look for the cusped eave gable on the front, the lattice doors that divide the outer and inner sanctuaries, and the flat board ceilings that hide the roof structure (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The hall is owned by Hyakusaiji (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found.
Q&A
- When was the main hall built?
- It was dedicated in 1650 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the temple name read?
- Hyakusaiji.
- What is the Koto Sanzan?
- Three Tendai temples east of Lake Biwa, of which Hyakusaiji is one.
- What is the principal image?
- A standing Eleven-Headed Kannon.
- When was the Hyakusaiji Temple Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On December 10, 2004 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Hyakusaiji Temple Main Hall (百済寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyakusaijicho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2004/12/10 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 5 by 5 bays, rear extension, hip-and-gable roof with cusped eave gable, cypress bark |
| Owner | Hyakusaiji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Hyakusaiji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/00003893
Last verified: 2026.10.19