Eihoji Temple

JAPAN, Gifu, Tajimi

The temple is located on Kokeisan (Tiger Creek Mountain) and belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. It was built in 1313 during the Kamakura period by National Master Muso and Zen Master Buttoku. The temple was destroyed during the Muromachi period (1392–1573), with only the founder’s hall and Avalokitesvara Hall remaining. Both of these halls were listed as National Treasures in 1952.
The main buildings of the temple are the founder’s hall and Avalokitesvara Hall. The founder’s hall consists of two joined buildings with separate single-eave hip-and-gable roofs. The layout is different from typical halls because the inner shrine is elevated on a platform at the rear, immediately adjacent to the front worshiping area. The interior of the hall is an example of a Zen halls with architectural elements such as a king post, crescent beams, and cantilevers. A statue of the founder is enshrined within the hall.
The three-by-three bay Avalokitesvara Hall has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof covered with cypress bark. The eaves are large and curve upwards at the corners. The central bay and those on either side have doors and there are no windows. It is surrounded by a wide veranda. The interior floor and ceiling are made of wood. A statue of Water-Moon Avalokitesvara is enshrined on a Sumeru throne.
The temple houses a Chinese painting of Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara from the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). The painting was listed as an Important Cultural Property. The calligraphy of Master Muso entitled House of Spring can also be found in the temple.