monjudou　文殊堂

KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures

A small Buddhist hall dedicated to the Bodhisattva of wisdom *Monju 文殊 (SK. Manjusri) who usually is represented in paintings or sculpture to the left of the statue of *Shaka 釈迦. There is no set style for these buildings. Example: Sanbutsuji Monjudou 三佛寺文殊堂 is unique. The date is uncertain. It is in the overhang style kake-zukuri 懸造, and situated above a very deep ravine in Tottori prefecture. Only the back of the building is visible. It is 3×4 bay structure 6.23m wide×7.92m deep, single-storied, with a roof that is hip-and gable style *irimoya yane 入母屋屋根, covered with finely- layered cypress bark shingles *kokerabuki 柿葺. A single undulating gable *karahafu 唐破風, is added on the back end. The entrances *tsumairi 妻入, are on the gable end facing toward the east. All the exterior posts are square but slightly chamfered and carry boat-shaped bracket arms *funahijiki 舟肘木, that support the roof framework. The single rafters are closely spaced *shigedaruki 繁垂木. The veranda is floored with short planks that extend at right angles to the walls, cut ends visible, at the veranda edge *nure-en 濡縁. There are no protective railings. There are only two other monjudou designated as important cultural properties. One is Kaijuusenji Monjudou 海住山寺文殊堂 (Kamakura period) in Kyoto. It was built originally for sutra storage. The other is Nyoiji Monjudou 如意寺文殊堂 (Muromachi period) in Hyougo prefecture.

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