Zuiryū-ji (Toyama) explained

Zuiryū-ji
Native Name:	瑞龍寺
Map Type:	Japan Toyama Prefecture#Japan
Relief:	1
Location:	Takaoka, Toyama
Religious Affiliation:	Buddhist
Rite:	Sōtō
Country:	Japan
Functional Status:	functional
Founded By:	Maeda Toshinaga
Year Completed:	1613

is a Buddhist temple in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, Japan. The temple belongs to the Sōtō-school of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

History

The second daimyō of Kaga Domain, Maeda Toshinaga (1562–1614) after retiring to Takaoka, had a temple, built, which was completed in 1613. After Toshinaga's death in 1614, the temple was renamed to Zuiryū-ji after his posthumous name, . His younger brother, Maeda Toshitsune, and third daimyō of Kaga, in commemoration of Toshinaga, had the temple expanded starting in 1645. The extensions were supervised by who completed the works for the 50th anniversary in 1663. The temple complex at the time covered an area of 118800m2 and — similar to a castle — was surrounded by two moats.

Temple complex

The temple compound or garan in the zen style is modeled after the Zen temple Jingshanshou (径山寿寺) in Hangzhou.^[1]

• The (A) outside of the actual complex has a kirizuma style, gabled roof with . It is a 3 ken wide yakuimon. Decorated with the emblem (mon) of the Maeda clan, plum blossom and lions on either end, it is a good example of Momoyama and early Edo period ornamentation.^{[2] [3]}
• Built in 1645, the (T) was lost in fire in 1746. It was rebuilt from 1814 to 1818 by Yamagami Zen’emon Yoshihiro. The gate is a two-storied 3 ken wide main gate to the temple and has an irimoya style roof with . On either side it is connected to a 3 ken wide, 1 ken deep single-storied corridor (kairō) with kirizuma-style roof, which connects most of the structures in the complex.^[3]
• The main hall or (B) is located in the centre of the temple compound. Made of elm wood, it measures 3×3 ken or 13mby13mm (43feetby43feetm). The roof is in irimoya-style with a pent roof enclosure, lead plate roofing. Inside it is a mixture of Japanese and Indian style with good carvings; a masterpiece of Yamagami.^[3]
• The (G) is the main assembly and lecture hall of the complex and dates to the year 1655. It is single-storied and measures 11×9 ken. The roof is in irimoya-style with a 2×1 step canopy and karahafu gable. It is roofed with copper plates. The ceiling of the central room has been decorated in floral motif by Kanō Yasunobu. At the end of the room in the central alcove there is a stele commemorating Maeda Toshinaga. The alcove to the right has been used for receptions by the Maeda, the one to the left was reserved for the priests and higher ranking cohorts of the Maeda.
• Other buildings in the complex that are connected by the corridor are the (R), the (Z), the (H).

Close to the entrance on the eastern side of the complex, the following buildings have been renovated recently: the (Y) and the (N).^[4]

In 1997 the High gate, the Buddha-Hall, and the Dharma-Hall were designated as National Treasure. The sōmon, the meditation hall, the large tea house and the corridors have been designated as Important Cultural Property. The temple owns a painting of Daruma by Sesshū, a Kannon by Kanō Tan'yū and other paintings.

See also

• List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)

Notes

1. Suzuki, Toshihiko (Hrsg.): “Zuiryu-ji’’. In: Nihon daihyakka zensho (Denshibukku-han)”, Shogakukan, 1996.
2. Toyama kindai rekishi kenkyukai rekishi sampo bukai (Hrsg.): Toyama-ken no rekishi sampo . Yamakawa Shuppan, 2008. .
3. Web site: Agency for Cultural Affairs. ja:国指定文化財 データベース. Database of National Cultural Properties. 2016-12-15. 2016. http://www.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index.asp . ja.
4. At a zen temple, the toilet is variously paraphrased as or or .

References

1. Suzuki, Toshihiko (Hrsg.): “Zuiryu-ji’’. In: Nihon daihyakka zensho (Denshibukku-han)”, Shogakukan, 1996.
2. Toyama kindai rekishi kenkyukai rekishi sampo bukai (Hrsg.): Toyama-ken no rekishi sampo . Yamakawa Shuppan, 2008. .
3. Web site: Agency for Cultural Affairs. ja:国指定文化財 データベース. Database of National Cultural Properties. 2016-12-15. 2016. http://www.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index.asp . ja.
4. At a zen temple, the toilet is variously paraphrased as or or .

Bibliography

• Mainichi Shimbu (Hrsg.): Juyo bunkazai 12. Tempelarchitektur. Mainichi Shimbun-sha, 1973.

External links

• Official website of Zuiryū-ji, Japanese, English, Chinese and Russian