b) Description and inventory

P. Hongan-ji Hongan-ji is the headquarters temple of the Hongan-ji denomination of the Jodo-Shinshu Buddhist sect. The Hongan-ji temple organization was transferred to Kyoto in 1591 from Osaka, where its former temple buildings had been destroyed by fire. The buildings of the new temple were constructed soon after the transfer, and, despite destruction by an earthquake in 1596 and by fire in 1617, reconstruction proceeded immediately each time. The construction of the main temple complex was completed by 1633. New buildings were later built one after another, including the Kuroshoin (private residential quarters) in 1657, and the Minami-nobutai (south Noh stage) at the end of the 17th century. The reconstruction of the Hondo (main hall) was completed in 1760. The major buildings underwent further repair work in 1811, 1848, 1861, and 1911. In the modern age, major conservation work has been undertaken. Several buildings were either totally or partially dismantled and repaired; these include Hiunkaku (pavilion), Kita-nobutai (north Noh stage) (1927), Kuroshoin (1953), Denro (corridors) (1953), Shoin (1959), and Hondo (1984). At Hongan-ji, gardens and buildings characteristic of the Momoyama culture remain, and such buildings as Shoin, Kuroshoin, Denro, Karamon (gate), Kita-nobutai and Hiunkaku are designated as National Treasures. The Daishoin Teien (garden) is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Also, six buildings including the Hondo (P9) and Daishido (P10), both among the largest wooden buildings in Japan, are designated as Important Cultural Properties. The Tekisuien (garden) (Pb) is designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. The Shoin (P3) was built in 1618 in the gorgeous shoin style. It consists of the Taimensho, for formal reception of visitors, and the Shiroshoin, a private reception hall. In addition, a part of the Taimensho can serve as a Noh stage when the tatami floor is removed. The Daishoin Teien (garden) (Pa), known as "Kokei-no-niwa", located to the east of the Shoin, is a karesansui (dry landscape) garden. It is simple in structure, representing waterfalls, gorge streams, and the sea, using stones and white gravel. By using colored stones and cycad, or fern palm, this garden exhibits the grand and expressive style of the Momoyama Period. The Kuroshoin and Denro (P12), said to have been completed in 1657, comprise the residential quarters of the master priest. The Kuroshoin is a typical example of the Sukiya-fu ("free-form") shoin style of architecture, containing rooms for tea ceremony. The Ichinoma and the Ninoma are the main rooms; these rooms show several elements of the shoin style, including the tatami-dono (tatami-floored alcove), the tsuke-shoin (built-in desk with windows), the chigaidana (alcove shelves) and renma (transoms), both with cut-out carvings. The Denro is a double corridor which connects the Taimensho (reception hall) with the Kuroshoin. The Karamon (P2) is said to have been erected in the early 17th century. This six-column gate has a roof made of cypress bark shingles in the hipped-gable style, with karahafu-style gables at the front and back. It is decorated gorgeously with many sculptures and ornamental fixtures. The Kita-nobutai (north Noh stage) (P6) standing in front of the Shiroshoin is the oldest existing Noh stage, built in 1581. Although the shape and the size are standard, this stage has a hafu (gable) in the hipped-gable roof facing the front, instead of the gable roof of normal Noh stages. The Hiunkaku (P1) is a three-storied pavilion facing the pond in the Tekisuien (garden). It is a highly important building in that it retains the style of the Momoyama Period with a light and yet bold structure. The roofs and windows are rich in variation. The first-story roof form is designed basically as a hipped-gable roof, with an attached gabled dormer on the west end of the northern facade. But the funairi (the entrance leading directly up from the pond) on the east end has eaves built in karahafu style. The second story has a projected hipped roof with karahafu-style eaves on three sides. Finally, the third story has a projected pyramid-style roof.

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