Shakado Hall 釈迦堂

The Shakado, is the former main hall of Shinshoji temple, replacing the Komyodo Hall. It was built in 1858 and is listed as an Important Cultural Property. The founder of Buddhism, Shaka-Nyorai, otherwise known as Prince Siddhartha, is enshrined here.

On the outer walls of the hall are highly detailed carvings from the nineteenth century of 500 Rakan (disciples who have gained enlightenment). It is said it took the master craftsman Matsumoto Ryozan (1801–1872) took ten years to complete the reliefs, giving each disciple a different expression. The subject is thought to be based on a famous work by Japanese painter Kano Kazunobu (1816–1863), said to one of the most important religious paintings of the Edo period (1603–1867). On the doors are also beautiful carvings by Shimamura Shunpyo of the 24 Chinese paragons of filial piety.