User:Bamse/List of National Treasures (temples)

intro
The term "National Treasure" has been used in Japan to denote cultural properties since 1897. The definition and the criteria have changed since the inception of the  term. The temple structures in this list were designated national treasures when the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was  implemented on June 9, 1951. As such they are eligible for government grants for repairs, maintenance and the installation of fire-prevention  facilities and other disaster prevention systems. Owners are required to announce any changes to the National Treasures such as damage or loss  and need to obtain a permit for transfer of ownership or intended  repairs. The items are selected by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based  on their "especially high historical or artistic value". This list presents 152  entries of national treasure temple structures from the late 7th-century  Classical Asuka period  to the early modern 19th-century Edo period. In fact the number of structures listed is more than 152, because in some cases groups of related structures are combined to form a single  entry. The structures include main halls such as kon-dō, hon-dō, Butsuden; pagodas, gates, belfries (鐘楼,), corridors, other halls and structures that are part of a Buddhist temple.

In the mid-6th century Buddhism was brought to Japan from Baekje. A number of violent clashes between the Mononobe clan,  who opposed the new religion, and the Soga clan, who supported it, ended with the  victory of the Soga in the battle of  Shigisen in 587. This event allowed for the official adoption of Buddhism and the construction of Buddhist  temples in Japan. Soga no Umako had Hōkō-ji,  the first temple in Japan built from 588 to 596. This temple was later renamed as Asuka-dera  after Asuka,  the name of the capital at which it was located. Prince Shotoku, a devout follower of Buddhism, was appointed regent in 593; he actively  promoted the new religion and ordered the construction of Shitennō-ji  in Osaka  (593) and Hōryū-ji  near his palace in Ikaruga  (completed in 603). Other early foundations include Yamada-dera (mid-7th century) and Kawara-dera (660s). All of these temples were located close to the capital. During the ancient period, the layout was strictly prescribed and followed mainland styles, with a main  gate facing south, beyond it the most sacred area surrounded by a semi-enclosed roofed  corridor (kairō) accessible through a middle gate (chūmon). The sacred precinct contained a pagoda acting as a reliquary for sacred objects, and an image hall (kon-dō). Other structures such as a lecture hall (kōdō), a belfry  (shōrō), a sutra repository (kyōzō), priests' and monks' quarters and  bathhouses could complete the complex, though there were considerable  variations among temples. Ideally the heart of a temple was formed by seven structures, the so called Shichidō garan. Starting in the Hakuhō period, Buddhism and with it the construction of temples spread from the  capital to the land. Through fire, earthquakes, typhoons and wars only little of these ancient temples remains. Hōryū-ji, rebuilt after a fire in 670, has the only extant 7th century structures,  representing the oldest extant wooden buildings in the world.

Contrary to early Shinto shrines,  early Buddhist temples were highly ornamental and strictly symmetrical  while shrines aimed to fit in nature. Starting with the late 7th century Hōryū-ji,  temples began to move towards indigenous tastes expressed by irregular  ground plans resulting in an asymmetric arrangement of buildings,  greater use of natural materials such as cypress bark instead of roof  tiling and a greater sensitivity to the natural environment, by placing  buildings among trees and not clearing the ground of vegetation. This adaption was assisted by the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. In 710, a permanent capital was installed in Heijō-kyō  (present day Nara)  and the main denominations were allowed to erect temples there. Several temples moved from the old capital at Fujiwara-kyō  to Heijō-kyō,  among them Kōfuku-ji  (710), Daian-ji  (710) and Yakushi-ji  (718). Asuka-dera was dismantled and the lumber used in the construction of Gangō-ji. During the first half of the 8th century, Emperor Shōmu,  a vigorous supporter of Buddhism, decreed that temples and nunneries be  erected in each province and that Tōdai-ji was to be built as a headquarter  for this network of temples. This head temple was inaugurated in 752 and of monumental dimensions with two seven-storied  pagodas,  each ca. 100 m tall and a Great Buddha Hall (daibutsuden) about 80 x. Nara period Buddhism was characterised by  seven influential state supported temples, the so called Nanto Shichi Daiji  which in addition to the six temples mentioned above included Saidai-ji (constructed in 765). Octagonal structures such as the Hall of Dreams at Hōryū-ji built as memorial halls and storehouses such as the Shōsōin first appeared during the Nara  period. Architecturally temple structures such as pagodas and main halls had grown significantly in size since the late 6th century. The pagoda had moved to a more peripheral location and the roof bracketing  system had increased in complexity as roofs grew larger and heavier.

New Buddhist teachings were introduced by Saichō and Kūkai at the beginning of the Heian period. They founded the esoteric sects Tendai and Shingon which were based on ascetic principles. Like their headquarters (Enryaku-ji at Mount Hiei and Kongōbu-ji on Mount Kōya), temples of these sects were  usually built in mountain areas to provide a quiet place for study and  meditation. The environment required a departure from the symmetrical temple layout and enclosing walls of Nara period temples. Consequently a new style termed 和様 (wayō)  emerged which was characterized by: a main hall  divided in two parts,  an outer area for novices and an inner area for  initiated, a hip-and-gable roof that   covered both areas, a raised  wooden floor replacing tile or stone   floor of earlier temples, extended  eaves to cover the front steps, shingles   or  bark replacing tile roofing and an adaption  to the natural  environment replacing  symmetrical layouts. The tahōtō, a two-storied tower resembling Indian stupas  was also introduced by these sects during the Heian period. According to an ancient Buddhist prophecy, the world would enter a dark period in 1051. According to the Tendai sect, enlightenment during this time could only be achieved through the veneration of Amida Buddha. Consequently Paradise or Amida Halls such as the Phoenix Hall at Byōdō-in (1053), the main hall of Jōruri-ji (1157) or  the Golden Hall at Chūson-ji  (1124), were built all over Japan by the imperial family or members of  the aristocracy who tried to recreate the western paradise of Amida on  earth. Halls enshrining the nine statues of Amida were popular during the late Heian period. The only extant of these halls is the main hall of Jōruri-ji.

Two architectural styles, the Daibutsu style and the Zen style made their  appearance in the late 12th or early 13th century. The Daibutsu or Great Buddha style, introduced by the priest Chogen, was based on  architecture of the Song Dynasty  and represented the antithesis of the wayō style. The Nandaimon at Tōdai-ji and the Amida Hall at Jōdo-ji  are the only extant examples of this style. Characteristic of the Zen style are earthen floors, subtly curved pent roofs (mokoshi) and  pronouncedly curved main roofs, cusped windows and panelled doors. Examples of this style include the belfry at Tōdai-ji, the Founder's Hall at Eihō-ji and the Shariden at Engaku-ji. The three Japanese styles, wayō, Daibutsu and Zen were combined in the Muromachi period giving rise to a  conglomerate eclectic style represented by the main hall at  Kakurin-ji. By the end of the Muromachi period, Japanese Buddhist architecture had reached its apogee. Construction methods had been perfected and building types conventionalized. Early pre-modern temples were saved from monotony by elaborate structural details, the use of undulating karahafu gables and monumental size of the buildings. Excellent examples for Momoyama and Edo period temple architecture are the Karamon at Hōgon-ji and the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera respectively.

intro

 * add general definitions of garan, amida hall, belfry (shoro), buddha hall (butsuden), corridors (kairo), pagodas, golden hall (kon-do), founder's hall (kaisando, kaizando), Hōjō and other residential parts, various gates karamon, nio gate, ...), kannon hall, lecture hall (kodo), main hall (hondo), octagonal halls, kuri, scripture house (kyōzō), tahoto from Glossary of Japanese Buddhism or elsewhere
 * rise of  esoteric mountain sects->concurrent breakdown of regular temple plans->growth of   elegant temple complexes for kyoto aristocrats->introduction   of zen and great buddha styles from sung dynasty->inevitable   eclecticism that resulted in medieval era

Asuka and Hakuhō period

 * Buddhism introduced in mid-6th century from Baekje; controversy between soga clan (pro buddhism) and mononobe clan (pro shinto) about the official adoption of the new religion; eventually the soga clan got the upper hand and buddhism was adopted; the first temple was Hōkō-ji or Asuka-dera built under Soga no Umako from 588 to 596; this temple was moved (lumber used for new temple) in 718 to Gango-ji
 * prince shotoku a devout follower of buddhism was appointed regent in 593; he actively promoted the new religion and had Hōryū-ji (completed in 603 and oldest extant) and Shitenno-ji (593) in osaka built
 * other early temples: shitenno-ji (osaka), yamada-dera, kawara-dera
 * ancient period layout was strictly prescribed: main gate facing south, beyond it the middle gate (chumon), with attached semi-enclosed roofed corridor (kairo) surrounding the most sacred area where a pagoda (=reliquary for sacred objects) led to an image hall (kondo) [eventually two pagodas occupied the enclosure]; lecture hall (kodo) was either attached to the rear corridor or beyond it outside the enclosure; belfry and sutra repository next to lecture hall; in addition refectory, priests' and monks' quarters, bathhouse; considerable variations in different temples
 * capital was relocated for reasons of ritual purity on the death of emperors; temples relocated as well
 * buddhism and with it the construction of temples spread from the capital to the land starting in the Hakuhō period
 * only horyu-ji remains from 7th century temples

Nara period (Tempyo period)

 * one-storey octagonal halls as memorial halls at some of the ancient temples (->Yumedono at horyu-ji)
 * storehouses (->Shōsōin)
 * capital in nara; main dominations were allowed to built temples there: e.g. yakushi-ji and kofuku-ji
 * emperor shomu (vigurous supporter of buddhism) decreed that temples and nunneries be erected in each province and that todai-ji be built in heijo-kyo as head cathedral for this network of temples
 * todai-ji was of huge dimenstions: daibutsuden, two seven storied pagodas (100 m high)
 * seven great state supported temples: horyu-ji (rebuilt no later than 710), kofuku-ji (moved from asuka in 710), daianji/daikandaiji (moved to heijokyo/nara in 710), gangoji (moved from asuka in 718), yakushiji (moved from fujiwarakyo in 718), todaiji (inaugurated in 752), saidaiji (constructed in 765); some of these were the headquarters of the six main denominations imported from china (=Six Sects of Nara)
 * also private temples (in addition to seven state temples) constructed by aristorcrates
 * Gango-ji was second of the seven state temples in importance after todai-ji
 * toshodai-ji is most important early buddhist architectural site in Japan
 * between founding of asuka-dera (596) and todaiji (752) several significant changes in architecture and temple layout: (i) increase in size of main hall and pagoda, (ii) pagoda moved to peripheral location, (iii) increase in complexity of roof bracketing system as roofs grew larger and heavier

Heian period

 * saicho and kukai introduced two new teachings that rivalled the six sects of nara: saicho-tendai-mount hiei, kukai-shingon-mount koya; temples of these two sects (grouped in "esoteric buddhism") were usually built in mountain areas (to keep with their ascetic doctrines); abandoned symmetric temple plan, introduced tahoto
 * shingon became primary form of buddhism through the mid-10th century


 * by end of 12th century tendai sect (teaching simplified doctrine of salvation through the veneration of amida buddha who rules over the western paradise, a pure land accessible to all) was firmly established -> nobles erected temples intended to recreate the western paradise with amida buddha as focal point (=Pure land [buddhism] (Jōdo) amida halls; "paradise halls") ---> byodoin phoenix hall
 * in late heian period: temple hall enshrining the nine statues of amida was very popular (hondo at Jōruri-ji only extant example)
 * in late heian period: imperial family and high nobility built entire temple complexes around a garden and pond (following same practise as at their private villas) destined to reproduce on earth amida's paradise (->byodoin)
 * at byodoin's phoenix hall members of the fujiwara family would sit across the pond to the east looking west at the phoenix hall imagining themselves reborn in amida's western paradise

Kamakura and Nanboku-cho period

 * DAIBUTSU style: tōdai-ji (most prestigious of 8th century nara temples) was destroyed in 1180 during the power struggle between the Taira and Minamoto (gempei war); rebuilt by the priest chogen (1121-1206) in a style based on Sung dynasty style (=daibutsu style=tenjikuyo=antithesis of conservative wayo style); two extant examples: amida hall at Jōdo-ji and nandaimon at todai-ji
 * ZEN style: introduced at beginning of 13th century (like daibutsu style); examples: belfry at todai-ji (transition from daibutsu to zen style), kaisando at Eihō-ji, shariden at engakuji (most representative)
 * buildings in zen style had earthen floors with slender pillars rounded top and bottom set on stone or wooden plinths resting on base stones; mokoshi are common in zen style, pent roofs are subtly curved, main roofs pronouncedly curved, cusped windows, panelled doors

Muromachi period
*conglomerate (setchuyo) style combining wayo, zen and daibutsu style -> hondo of kakurin-ji

premodern, momoyama and edo periods

 * apogee reached at end of medieval time
 * modular system in early pre-modern times; only elaborate sculptural detail, use of karahafu gables and immense size saved early pre-modern temples from monotony
 * excellent example of magnificient momoyama architecture: karamon gate attached to kannon-do
 * grandiose edo example: kiyomizudera hondo: culmination of esoteric buddhist design

Horyu-ji

 * most important temple: antique, beauty, architectural integrity (nearly entire complex preserved; other temples only preserved single buildings)
 * built in 607, burned in 670, rebuilt a few years later (date unknown)
 * oldest extant temple complex of japan; pagoda, golden hall next to it, surrounding corridor and inner gate (chumon) are oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world
 * following chinese models, the builders used ceramic tiles as roofing material and adopted distinctive curved roofline of tang and later chinese architecture

Four types of temples

 * 1) wayou style: Korean or Chinese building techniques adapted to Japan (earthquakes, typhoons), e.g. strengthened joints ;
 * 2) Great Buddha style (daibutsuyou or tenjikuyou): introduced by priest chogen in 12th cent.
 * 3) Zen style (Zenshuuyou or karayou): introduced in 12th cent
 * 4) eclectic style (secchuuyou): combination of previous three styles

Paradise (Amida) Halls

 * according to an ancient buddhist prophecy the world would enter a dark period beginning in 1051 (1500 anniversary of buddha's death and beginning of final decline of buddha's teachings) during which enlightenment could only be achieved through personal faith in amida buddha; by the late heian period paradise halls dedicated to amida buddha were built all over japan
 * byodo-in: fujiwara no yorimichi turned family villa in temple (1052) and started to build the phoenix hall in 1053; phoenix hall is oldest and best example of a paradise hall; situated to the west of a pond
 * joururi-ji: pond with pagoda on east (representing eastern paradise of yakushi nyorai) and paradise hall on west side (western paradise of amida); hall houses nine statues of amida representing nine stages of nirvana; island in pond represents present world; paradise halls with nine amida was common in late heian period, but joruri-ji is only example left
 * konjikido (chuson-ji): from 1124; interior completely gilded with gold leaf

Mountain temples

 * in heian period esoteric denominations (tendai and shingon) built many of their temples in mountains to provide a quiet place for study and meditation; very different to ceremonial function of chinese style nara temples; mountain setting also required departure from symmetrical layout and enclosing walls
 * examples of heian period esoteric mountain temples: enryaku-ji on mount hiei, kongobuji on mount koya, 	Murō-ji:
 * Mount Hiei: saicho sent by emperor to china in 804; on his return founds tendai sect with hq at enryaku-ji; temple is state supported in addition to six nara denominations and becomes extremely influential and powerful; in 1571 oda nobunaga destroyed the temple
 * mount koya: kukai brought shingon buddhism from china and established HQs at to-ji and kongobu-ji (mount koya); originally 1000 temples on mt koya but now 123 and little of original complex remains
 * muro-ji: typical early mountain temple; kukai decreed that it is open to women (as opposed to mount koya)
 * tahoto resembling indian stupa was created for tendai and shingon


 * architectural features of esoteric buddhism->later called wayo style
 * main hall divided in two parts: outer area for novices and inner area for initiated (with altar)
 * inner and outer area joined with a hip-and-gable roof that covered both
 * raised wooden floor replacing tile or stone floor of earlier temples
 * extended eaves to cover front steps
 * shingles or bark replacing tiles
 * adaption to natural environment replacing symmetrical layout

temple elements

 * pagoda: enshrines symbolic relics of buddha; prototype is indian stupa; originally in india only relics and stupa were allowed; importance of pagoda in japan gradually diminished as buddhist images and golden hall housing them gained in importance; pagodas became more ornamental (->yakushi-ji and todai-ji each with two pagodas)
 * by latter part of 7th century multiple golden halls had disappeared; single golden hall had achieved parity with pagoda; around the nara period multiple pagodas (less important) surrounded single golden hall (important); at kofukuji even less important moved out of corridor

temples versus shrines

 * early temples complex were highly ornamental (opposite to early shinto shrines)
 * chinese buddhist temple architecture based on cosmological principals->strict symmetrical layout of compound often surrounded by a wall and entered through a formal gateway (shinto shrines attempted to fit in nature)
 * over time shrines and temples adapted features of each others; temples became more simple and tried to fit in nature
 * syncretism of buddhism and shinto; shrines adopted buddhist structures and temples moved towards indigenous taste: asymmetry, greater use of natural materials, adaption of buildings to natural surroundings (but later developments went beyond mutual influence!)
 * starting with horyu-ji in asuka period and reaching maturity in the mountain temples of heian period, buddhist temples were influenced by indigenous standards of taste: (i) irregular ground plan due to uneven terrain resulting in an asymmetrical arrangement of buildings, (ii) greater use of natural materials such as cypress bark rather than tile on roofs, (iii) sensitivity to natural surroundings (placing buildings among trees rather than clearing vegetation)

refs

 * 

rest

 * style
 * hōgyō style
 * kirizuma style
 * irimoya style
 * yosemune style
 * rō style
 * others
 * karahafu ???
 * nokikarahafu gable
 * with a 1 ken step canopy
 * chidori hafu bargeboard


 * roof "tiles"
 * hinoki cypress bark shingles
 * hongawarabuki roof
 * tochibuki board roofing
 * sangawarabuki tile roof
 * pent roof enclosure
 * copper-tile roofing


 * gates
 * four-legged gate
 * eight-legged gate


 * attached