Gokokuji Temple Gekkoden (Former Nikkoin Guest Hall)

A Momoyama Reception Hall Moved from Miidera

The Gokokuji Temple Gekkoden (Former Nikkoin Guest Hall) (護国寺月光殿（旧日光院客殿）) is a reception hall moved from Nikkoin at Miidera of the Momoyama period in Otsuka, Bunkyo City, Tokyo, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on January 19, 1931 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records seven bays by six, single-storey, with a hip-and-gable roof, its entrance in the gable end and a cusped gable on the front eaves; designation number 00868.

The 1931 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.

A Momoyama Reception Hall, Moved

The Gekkoden is seven bays by six, with a hip-and-gable roof, its entrance in the gable end and a cusped gable on the front eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the Bunkyo City tourist guide, it was originally the reception hall of Nikkoin, a sub-temple of Miidera (Onjoji), in the shoin style of the Momoyama period; it had become the Keichokan of the residence of Hara Rokuro before it was moved here and named the Gekkoden.

Bunkyo City notes that the Gekkoden was moved here in 1928 and is designated together with the Genroku-period main hall.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is a reception hall of the Momoyama period with a cusped gable on its front eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

What to Look For

Look for the cusped gable on the eaves of the gable-end front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Gokokuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Bunkyo City, it is a 1-minute walk from Gokokuji Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line. No official information on visiting hours was found. The main hall and the Gekkoden are introduced together on the Gokokuji Temple page.