shingled (roof)

A type of roofing. It involves attaching wooden shingles with bamboo nails, using thicker boards for the eaves section. The materials used include thin boards of cedar, cypress, and sawara cypress.

miniature shrine

A sacred space for enshrining items such as Buddhist statues, relics, and sutra scrolls.

wood carving of Kōbō Daishi

inner sanctuary

The innermost chamber within the temple or shrine where the sacred shintai (object regarded as the divinity’s manifestation or symbol) or the principal Buddhist image is enshrined.

tsuma-kazari gable ornament

wooden lattice

kegyo decorative gable pendant

boat-shaped bracket arms

hip-and-gable style (irimoya-zukuri)

A gable (kirizuma-zukuri) is right above the core and a hipped roof are attached to the four sides on the lower part of the gable. (hip-and-gable roof construction)

Hosokawa Tadaoki

Hosokawa Tadaoki (1563–1646) was a daimyo active during the Sengoku (1467–1568) and early Edo (1603–1867) periods. He married Gracia (1563–1600), daughter of the powerful general Akechi Mitsuhide (1528–1582), and played an active role in the Toyotomi and Tokugawa regimes. He was well-versed in the tea ceremony and was one of the seven disciples of the tea master Sen no Rikyu (1522–1591).

Sengoku lord

This refers to daimyo and warriors who became independent and ruled over their territories in various parts of Japan during the Sengoku (Warring States) period (1467–1568).

Momoyama period

During the Momoyama period (1573–1603), the powerful generals Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598) held central control over Japan. The name Momoyama comes from the Momoyama Hills, where Hideyoshi built Fushimi Castle.

Kamakura-period

The roughly 150-year period from the founding of the Kamakura shogunate by Minamoto no Yoritomo to the fall of the shogunate, marked by Hojo Takatoki’s suicide in 1333.

Dōryōbō Priests’ Quarters

A dwelling named and used by the prominent priest Kūkai (774–835). He lived here for over fourteen years.

Jōki

A Buddhist sculptor active at the beginning of the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

Yuiseki Head Temple

This refers to the head temple of a religious sect. The name indicates the temple’s ties with the sect founder and high-ranking priests.

Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi)

A Heian Era priest (774-835). Also known as Kobo Daishi. He is the founder of the Shingon sect and one of the three great calligraphers of the day.

Heian period

The Heian period lasted for approximately 400 years between the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo (present day Kyoto) by Emperor Kanmu in 794 and the foundation of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1185. The period is often divided into three sections: the Early, Mid- and Late Heian periods. In other words, the period of reviving the political system based on Ritsuryo codes, the regency period and the Insei period (governed by a retired emperor), respectively. (The end of the Late Heian period was ruled by the Taira clan.) Also referred to as the period of the Heian imperial court.