Reception Hall (Ohiroma) 勝興寺/大広間及び式台

Official explanation

The Reception Hall dates from 1653 and is the oldest surviving structure at Shokoji Temple. The hall was used for large gatherings, such as ceremonies and meetings. The abbot would have likely met here with imperial envoys and representatives of local daimyo lords. At the far end of the hall, a small room with a raised floor is partially concealed by a fine bamboo screen. This is where visiting nobles would have been seated.

The main room of the Reception Hall is around 225 square meters, which is unusually large for a regional temple. It was expanded to its present size in the eighteenth century, at the height of the temple’s prestige. The seating area was extended with an extra row of tatami mats, and a separate entrance hall (shikidai) was constructed, complete with a waiting room. The Reception Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall are designated a National Treasure.

Read the full explanation

The Reception Hall dates from 1653 and is the oldest surviving structure at Shokoji Temple. The abbot received influential visitors here in the Edo period (1603–1867), likely including imperial envoys and representatives of local daimyo lords. At the far end of the room is a small area with a raised floor where visiting nobles would have been seated during these meetings.

The main room of the Reception Hall is around 225 square meters, which is unusually large for a regional temple. It was expanded to its present size in the eighteenth century, at the height of the temple’s prestige. The seating area was extended with an extra row of tatami mats, and a separate entrance hall (shikidai) was constructed, complete with a waiting room.

The original layout of the main reception room is depicted in illustrations on display in the Reception Hall. The expansion of the Reception Hall attests to Shokoji’s importance as the main Jodo Shinshu temple east of Kyoto. The Reception Hall and the adjoining Entrance Hall are designated a National Treasure.

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.