A Temple Hall by Ito Chuta
The Myozenji Temple Main Hall (明善寺本堂) is a temple hall designed by Ito Chuta of 1934 in Nanukamachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on June 25, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a copper roof, a building area of 327 square metres and towers on either side of the front; registration number 06-0046.
A Great Hall and an Inner Sanctuary
The Myozenji Temple Main Hall was designed by the architect Ito Chuta (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Inside, the front half is a great hall of 60 tatami mats, and the back half has the inner sanctuary at its centre with side rooms either side and a study room projecting at the rear left.
A bell tower and a drum tower stand at either side of the front, and the porch is layered over the hip-and-gable end (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that Ito's style shows clearly in the front, with its bell and drum towers and the porch layered over the gable, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the bell and drum towers flanking the front and the porch layered over the gable (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Myozenji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the Myozenji Temple Main Hall built?
- In 1934 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Who designed it?
- Ito Chuta.
- What is it like inside?
- A 60-mat hall in front and an inner sanctuary flanked by side rooms behind.
- What is distinctive about the front?
- A bell tower and a drum tower on either side, with the porch layered over the gable.
- When was the Myozenji Temple Main Hall registered?
- On June 25, 2002 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Myozenji Temple Main Hall (明善寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 5-9-3 Nanukamachi, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2002/06/25 (Heisei 14) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, copper roof, 327 m², towers on both sides of the front |
| Owner | Myozenji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Myozenji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00002738
Last verified: 2026.10.19