Kyoto Prefecture Designated Tangible Cultural Property

Bishamondō Hall

1623
hip-and-gable style (irimoya-zukuri)
copper roofing
Inner Sanctuary: Fukiyose diamond-lattice transom

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A subtle design symbolizing
the temple’s autumn leaves

The Bishamondō Hall was rebuilt in 1623 along with the Godaidō Hall and other temple buildings. Before the construction of Jingoji Temple’s current main hall in the early Shōwa era (1926–1989), the Bishamondō Hall was the temple's main hall and enshrined the Standing Statue of Yakushi (Bhaisajyaguru), a National Treasure.

The building has a hip-and-gable roof that originally had wooden shingles but now has copper tiles. On its south face, it is furnished with paneled wooden doors and lattice windows. The hall has canopy roofs over the steps on its north and south sides. Design elements celebrating autumn foliage can be seen throughout the building, such as the hawk on the beam bracket and the maple leaf patterns adorning the step canopy roofs.

Today, the hall houses the Standing Statue of Bishamonten (Vaisravana), an Important Cultural Property. A stone pagoda stands in front of the hall surrounded by cedars, weeping cherry and maple trees, and rhododendron bushes that change into an array of colors throughout the seasons.

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.

stone pagoda

statue of Bishamonten

maple leaf pattern

pent roof

In shrine and temple architecture, a structure with a roof that protrudes over the front steps. It allows the priest and worshippers to conduct ceremonies or pay respects from the front of the hall.

renji window

This is a traditional window with a lattice design. It is a decorative architectural feature that also provides ventilation and lighting.

paneled wooden door

A paneled door with thin panels and renji latticework set into small frames in an outer door frame.

copper roofing

current Main Hall

Hall of the Five Wisdom Kings

This building was built in 1623 and was a lecture hall. It is located within Jingoji Temple and serves as an Esoteric Buddhist hall that enshrines the Five Wisdom Kings (Vidyārāja).

frog-leg strut (kaerumata)

It is a part, both sides of which widen towards the bottom with curves, like a frog opening its legs (kaeru means a frog, and mata means crotch) and is located between two connecting beams. Otherwise, its name reportedly derives from karimata, the shape of the arrowhead, the edge of which splits into two.

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)

MOVIE

Experience the video to get one step closer.

This video, accompanied by narration, introduces the charms of Bishamondō Hall. Experience its charms even more deeply through the video.

Duration: (audio included)

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