Kyōzō
Encyclopedia
in Japanese Buddhist architecture
is a repository for sūtra
s and chronicles of the temple history. It is also called , , or . In ancient times the kyōzō was placed opposite the belfry
on the east-west axis of the temple. The earliest extant kyōzō is at Hōryū-ji
, and it is a two-storied structure. An example of one-storied kyōzō is at Tōshōdai-ji
in Nara
. A kyōzō's usual size is 3 x 3 ken
.
All storage buildings are equipped with shelving to store the containers that hold the rolled sūtra
s. Some temples have circular revolving shelves for sūtra
storage: a central pillar revolves like a pivot, octahedral cylindrical shelves are attached to it. A revolving sūtra storage case is called . Revolving shelves are convenient because they allow priest
s and monk
s to select the needed sūtra quickly. Eventually, in some kyōzō the faithful were permitted to push the shelves around the pillar while praying — it was believed that they could receive religious edification without actually reading the sūtra
s.
Some scripture houses are National Treasures of Japan
:
Japanese Buddhist architecture
Japanese Buddhist architecture is the architecture of Buddhist temples in Japan, consisting of locally developed variants of architectural styles born in China...
is a repository for sūtra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
s and chronicles of the temple history. It is also called , , or . In ancient times the kyōzō was placed opposite the belfry
Shōrō
The or is the bell tower of a Buddhist temple in Japan. It can also be found at some Shinto shrines, as for example Nikkō Tōshō-gū. Two main types exist, the older , which has walls, and the more recent or , which does not.-History:...
on the east-west axis of the temple. The earliest extant kyōzō is at Hōryū-ji
Hōryū-ji
is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
, and it is a two-storied structure. An example of one-storied kyōzō is at Tōshōdai-ji
Toshodai-ji
Tōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Ritsu sect in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Classic Golden Hall, also known as the kondō, has a single story, hipped tiled roof with a seven bay wide facade. It is considered the archetype of "classical style."It was founded by a Chinese...
in Nara
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
. A kyōzō's usual size is 3 x 3 ken
Ken (architecture)
A is a measurement in Japanese architecture. It has two principal uses:* As a proportion for intervals between the pillars of traditional-style buildings. The word is translated in this case in English as "bay". Traditional buildings usually measure an odd number of bays, for example 3×3 or 5×5...
.
All storage buildings are equipped with shelving to store the containers that hold the rolled sūtra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
s. Some temples have circular revolving shelves for sūtra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
storage: a central pillar revolves like a pivot, octahedral cylindrical shelves are attached to it. A revolving sūtra storage case is called . Revolving shelves are convenient because they allow priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s and monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
s to select the needed sūtra quickly. Eventually, in some kyōzō the faithful were permitted to push the shelves around the pillar while praying — it was believed that they could receive religious edification without actually reading the sūtra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
s.
Some scripture houses are National Treasures of Japan
National treasures of Japan
National Treasures are the most precious of Japan's Tangible Cultural Properties, as determined and designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs...
:
- The kyōzō of Tōshōdai-jiToshodai-jiTōshōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple of the Ritsu sect in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. The Classic Golden Hall, also known as the kondō, has a single story, hipped tiled roof with a seven bay wide facade. It is considered the archetype of "classical style."It was founded by a Chinese...
- The kyōzō of Hōryū-jiHōryū-jiis a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
- The kyōzō of Ankoku-jiAnkoku-jiis a Buddhist temple of the Kokutai-ji branch of Rinzai school of Buddhism in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This temple was built by the priest Kakushin in 1273. Afterwards, it was revived by Ankokuji Ekei in 1579, though it remained in decline...
Gallery
 |
 |