Saikyoji Temple Founder's Hall Water Pavilion

A Hexagonal Water Pavilion Facing the Side Gate

The Saikyoji Temple Founder's Hall Water Pavilion (西教寺宗祖大師殿水屋, Saikyōji Shūso Daishiden Mizuya) is a hexagonal purification pavilion from around 1917, standing on the north side of the Founder's Hall compound opposite the side gate at Saikyoji in Sakamoto, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 28, 2001.

It was built with the Karamon Gate and the side gate during the Taishō-era improvements. The national record lists a timber structure with a tile roof and a building area of 4.4 square meters. It is registration number 25-0164.

Why the Water Pavilion Was Registered

The Saikyoji Temple Founder's Hall Water Pavilion was registered under the criterion for structures that contribute to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that, set opposite the side gate, it is an indispensable part of the scene on the north side of the compound.

A round, flower-shaped basin sits at the center of a hexagonal plan. Six posts tied with rails carry a hexagonal frame of beams, and a jewel finial crowns the roof. Small as it is, its hexagonal shape makes it a landmark within the compound.

What to Look For

Look into the basin. According to the temple's heritage guide, it is round and modeled on a lotus flower.

Then look up: decorative rafters radiate from a coffered ceiling. The guide notes vents between the rafters to let air out of the roof space, a device that came into use with modern building.

Visiting the Water Pavilion

The Saikyoji Temple Founder's Hall Water Pavilion stands in the Founder's Hall compound and can be seen from outside. Opening hours, admission and directions for the temple are on the Saikyoji Temple page.