Hokekyō-ji (Ichikawa)

Soshidō (1678), an Important Cultural Property; believed to have been modelled on the Honden-Haiden of Kibitsu Jinja

Hokekyō-ji (法華経寺) is a temple of the Nichiren-shū^[1] founded during the Kamakura period in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. One of Nichiren’s most important writings the Risshō Ankoku Ron,^[2] regarded as one of the National Treasures of Japan, is kept at the temple. Next to other documents it is being presented to the public on 3 November each year.

Buildings

• Shisoku-mon (Sengoku period) (Important Cultural Property)^[3]
• Hokkedō (Sengoku period) (ICP)^[4]
• Five-storey pagoda (1622) (ICP)^[5]
• Soshidō (1678) (ICP)^[6]

Restoration of the Soshidō

When the Soshidō (祖師堂) was dismantled for repairs in 1987, evidence from the fabric and forty-five wooden tablets that were found suggested that the original form had been altered in the rebuilding of 1741. It was understood that originally the building resembled the Honden-Haiden of Kibitsu Jinja and, after an inscription was founded by the master carpenter of 1678 who came from that area, the hall was remodelled on that basis. A wooden shingle roof was installed and the old copper sold off for use by sculptors.^[7]

See also

• Kibitsu Jinja

References

1. Nichiren Shū: Hokekyō-ji (Ichikawa)
2. Commentated version of the Rissho Ankoku Ron:
3. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
4. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
5. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
6. "Database of Registered National Cultural Properties". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
7. Larsen, Knut Einar (1994). Architectural Preservation in Japan. ICOMOS International Wood Committee. pp. 121–5. ISBN 82-519-1432-9.

External links

• (Japanese) Hokekyō-ji homepage

Coordinates: 35°43′15″N 139°56′57″E / 35.72083°N 139.94917°E