tatchuu　塔頭

KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures

Also written 塔中. A simple building containing a pagoda that enshrined the ashes of a founder or head priest of a Zen 禅 temple. Gradually, it developed into a subsidiary temple for retired priests but was under the jurisdiction of the main temple. When the head of the subsidiary temple died, his subordinate disciple continued to reside there. Eventually, it not only provided a retreat for top-ranking priests but it became a family temple for daimyou 大名 and wealthy merchants who gave tangible support to the temple. Although some tatchuu existed in the Kamakura period, they were few. But their number increased until the 15c, when many disciples who wanted independence from the main temple were required to request permission from the Ashikaga Bakufu 足利幕府. Other buildings were added to the tatchuu grounds. These included: the *shoudou 正堂, also called *kaisandou 開山堂, the focal point in the tatchuu of Zen temples which was also used to hold memorial ceremonies; the *rantou 卵塔, a rotund, or oval shaped stone pagoda placed on a square or octagonal base, served to memorialize the deceased founder. The shoudou was constructed in front of the rantou; the *houjou 方丈, living quarters for the head priest, and sometimes for guests; the *kyakuden 客殿, a guest house; the *soudou 僧堂, a hall for meditation, also called *zendou 禅堂; the *jikidou 食堂, a dining hall, and the kitchen *kuri 庫裡. The kitchen and dining were combined or in close proximity under the same roof. Some tatchuu also have a study *shoin 書院, a store-house souko 倉庫, and a gate *mon 門. Examples: Engakuji Shariden 円覚寺舎利殿, 3×3 bays, mokoshi 裳階 Kamakura period, ; Kenchouji Shoudou 建長寺昭堂 (1629), both in Kanagawa prefecture; Daitokuji's subsidiary temple, Daitokuji Shinjuan Kuri 大徳寺真珠庵庫裡 (1610), in Kyoto.

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