Gohōdō Shrines Worship Hall (Haiden) 護法堂拝殿

Official explanation

This rectangular hall is closely associated with the two deities enshrined at the Gohōdō Shrines across the courtyard, on the opposite side of Engyōji’s inner sanctum (okunoin). In addition to functioning as the worship hall for the two shrines, this structure is also used for rituals and by pilgrims visiting the adjacent Founder’s Hall.

The structure, which dates to 1589, blends the stylistic conventions of temple and shrine architecture. According to temple lore, it was once the study chamber of the legendary twelfth-century warrior monk Musashibō Benkei (1155–1189), who trained on Mt. Shosha between the ages of seven and ten. The actual desk that Benkei is said to have used is on display on the second floor of the Jikidō (Refectory).

Read the full explanation

Shrines in Japan generally consist of two semi-attached architectural elements, a “principal hall” (honden) and a “worship hall” (haiden). In the case of the Gohōdō shrines, however, instead of one honden, there are two, known collectively as the Gohōdō. These structures enshrine Engyōji’s protector deities, Ototen and Wakaten. The location of this building, the haiden, is also unusual—instead of being attached to the front side of the Gohōdō, it is completely separate, located on the other side of the courtyard.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.