Otsu Betsuin Temple Shoin

A Shoin of 1670

The Otsu Betsuin Temple Shoin (大津別院書院) is a shoin of 1670 with an unusual plan, behind the main hall of Otsu Betsuin, a branch temple of Higashi Honganji of 1670 in Chuo 2-chome, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 7, 1961 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a shoin of an upper eight-mat room, an eighteen-mat room and five eight-mat rooms, among others; designation number 01520.

A Shoin Behind the Main Hall

The shoin of Otsu Betsuin in Chuo, Otsu City, Shiga, was built in 1670 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Otsu Betsuin is a branch temple of Higashi Honganji (Shinshu Otani-ha), and the shoin stands behind its main hall.

It has an upper eight-mat room with an alcove, shelves and a built-in desk, an eighteen-mat room with an alcove and a Buddhist altar, and five eight-mat rooms, among others; the Agency describes its plan as unusual. It was designated with the main hall in 1961 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency notes the shoin, built in 1670 behind the main hall, for its unusual plan.

What to Look For

At the shoin, look for the raised room with its alcove, shelves and built-in desk, and the eighteen-mat room with its altar (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

The shoin is owned by Otsu Betsuin (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on access to the shoin was found.