Sanbutsuji Temple Okunoin Hall

JAPAN, Tottori, Tohaku

The Okunoin Hall is situated at Sanbutsuji Temple on the northern cliff face, 470 m above sea level. It is said that the hall was built between the 7th and 8th centuries by En no Ozunu from Nara, and it was endowed with spiritual powers. The hall currently houses an image of Zao Gongen and is therefore also called Zao Hall. The hall was listed as a National Treasure in 1952.
The Okunoin Hall is 5.4 m long and 3.8 m deep. The roof is covered with cypress bark. The structure is built on to the cliff face and supported by square columns of varying height, resting directly on narrow, natural footings in the rocks. The longest column, at about 6.6 m, provides strong support. The gently sloping roofs are supported by beams resting on the square columns. The building is surrounded by an L-shaped veranda. There is a small auxiliary hall to the left side of the main hall with a single-eave overhanging gable roof.