Yamaguchi's Oldest Building
The Gachirinji Yakushido Hall (月輪寺薬師堂) is a thatched, hipped-roof Buddhist hall of the late Heian to early Kamakura period in the precinct of Gachirinji at Tokuji-Kamimura, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, designated on February 18, 1949 and now an Important Cultural Property. It is thought to be the oldest building in Yamaguchi Prefecture (Yamaguchi Prefecture, Yamaguchi City).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as five bays by four, single-storey, with a thatched hipped roof, dated to the late Heian period; owned by Gachirinji. A shrine cabinet and two ridge tags are designated with it (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Chogen and the Revival of the Hall
According to Yamaguchi Prefecture, temple tradition holds that the monk Shunjobo Chogen came here in 1189 and rebuilt the Yakushi hall with the help of Fujiwara no Kanezane (Lord Tsukinowa). Its structure, techniques and timber suggest that the present hall dates from that rebuilding.
Much repair timber from the late Kamakura to Muromachi periods is mixed in, and in a major early-Edo repair the aisles around the sanctuary and the roof framing were replaced. Even so, old timber survives well, especially in the sanctuary, showing early Kamakura techniques (Yamaguchi Prefecture). Yamaguchi City counts it among the sites linked to Chogen and his rebuilding of Todaiji.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Gachirinji Yakushido Hall was designated in 1949. Yamaguchi Prefecture concludes that its main body can be taken as the building of 1189, and that it is considered the oldest building in the prefecture today.
What to Look For
The Gachirinji Yakushido Hall is five bays (12.27 metres) by four (9.82 metres), under a thatched hipped roof, facing west (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Look for the old timbers and early Kamakura techniques around the sanctuary. The designated shrine cabinet is a one-bay hip-and-gable cabinet with a board roof, and the ridge tags record building work in 1710 and repairs in 1766 (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Visiting Gachirinji
Gachirinji, home of the Gachirinji Yakushido Hall, is at Tokuji-Kamimura, Yamaguchi City. According to Yamaguchi Tourism, it is about 15 minutes by car from the Tokuji interchange, or 15 minutes' walk from the Kamimura stop on the Bocho bus. Telephone 0835-54-0127 (Gachirinji).
Q&A
- When was the Gachirinji Yakushido Hall built?
- By tradition Chogen rebuilt it in 1189, and the present hall is thought to date from then (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
- How is the hall linked to Chogen?
- Chogen is said to have rebuilt it with the help of Fujiwara no Kanezane (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
- Why is the hall so valuable?
- It is considered the oldest building in Yamaguchi Prefecture (Yamaguchi Prefecture).
- What does the hall look like?
- A five-by-four-bay hall with a thatched hipped roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
- When was the Gachirinji Yakushido Hall designated?
- On February 18, 1949.
Basic Information
| Name | Gachirinji Yakushido Hall (月輪寺薬師堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 421 Tokuji-Kamimura, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1949/2/18 (Showa 24) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 shrine cabinet and 2 ridge tags) |
| Dimensions | 5 bays by 4, single storey, hipped roof, thatched |
| Owner | Gachirinji |
| Public Access | Exterior viewable in the temple grounds |
References
- Gachirinji Yakushido Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/3239
- Gachirinji Yakushido Hall (Yamaguchi Prefecture cultural properties)
- https://bunkazai.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/sp/bunkazai/summary.asp?mid=20014
- Gachirinji Yakushido Hall (Yamaguchi City)
- https://www.city.yamaguchi.lg.jp/rs/rekibunshigen/r1050.html
- Gachirinji (Yamaguchi Tourism)
- https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_12130.html
Last verified: 2026.10.11