Two-storey gate of 1468, an Important Cultural Property
Kasugadō and Hakusandō shrines (1277/8), both National Treasures
Paradise gardens of the late-Heian period , a Place of Scenic Beauty
Dainichi Nyorai by Unkei (1176), a National Treasure
Honden of Ugajin , Kamakura period , an Important Cultural Property
Enjō-ji (円成寺 ) is a Shingon temple in the northeast of Nara , Japan . A number of its buildings and images have been designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties , and its late-Heian period gardens are a Place of Scenic Beauty .
History
Enjō-ji is said to have been founded in 756 by a Chinese priest who accompanied Ganjin to Japan. The temple was enlarged in the late-Heian and Muromachi periods. Much damage occurred during the Ōnin War , and further losses occurred during the Meiji period and after.[ 1] [ 2]
Buildings
The two-storey gate of 1468 and Hondō of 1472 are both Important Cultural Properties .[ 3] [ 4] The tahōtō is lost and has been replaced with a modern replica.[ 5]
Also on the grounds are a number of Shinto shrines . The single bay Kasugadō and Hakusandō of 1227/8 are the oldest extant examples of kasuga-zukuri and are thought to have been moved from Kasuga-taisha when it was rebuilt.[ 6] In 1953, both buildings were designated National Treasures .[ 7] [ 8] The Honden of the shrine to Ugajin dating to the end of the Kamakura period is an Important Cultural Property .[ 9]
Treasures
In the tahōtō is a seated wooden statue of Dainichi Nyorai (木造大日如来坐像 ) of 1176 by Unkei . Of Japanese cypress using the yoseki-zukuri technique, it is gilded over lacquer and has crystal eyes. In 1920, it was designated a National Treasure .[ 10] In the Hondō is a seated wooden statue of Amida Nyorai (木造阿弥陀如来坐像 ) of the Heian period , surrounded by wooden statues of the Shitennō (木造四天王立像 ) of the Kamakura period , all Important Cultural Properties .[ 11] [ 12] Other images include a Jūichimen Kannon of 1026, a child prince of 1309 that has been designated a Prefectural Cultural Property, a Fudō Myōō of the Nanboku-chō period , and a gilded Yakushi Nyorai .[ 2] The gorintō of 1321 has also been designated an Important Cultural Property.[ 13]
Gardens
The temple gardens are a rare example of late-Heian Pure Land paradise gardens and in 1973 were designated a Place of Scenic Beauty .[ 5] [ 14]
See also
References
External links
(in Japanese) Enjōji
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Enjoji .