Zentsū-ji

Byōbuura Gogakusan Tanjō-in Zentsū-ji
Religion
Affiliation	Shingon Buddhism
Location
Location	3-1, Zentsūji-cho, Zentsūji, Kagawa
Country	Japan
Architecture
Founder	Kūkai
Date established	807

The Byōbuura Gogakusan Tanjō-in Zentsū-ji (屏風浦五岳山誕生院善通寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect in Zentsūji, Kagawa, Japan. It was established in 807 by Kūkai, founder of Shingon Buddhism, who was born where the temple now stands.^[1] The oldest structure, the Shakadō Hall, dates to around 1677.

Zentsū-ji is the 75th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. It is also one of the three temples on the tour that Kūkai visited, the others being Tairyūji and Muroto Misaki, as Kūkai mentioned them by name in his writings.^{[citation needed]}

The temple is divided into the east precinct (tō-in) centered around the main hall (the Kondō Hall) and the west precinct (sai-in), where the Mieidō Hall stands over Kūkai's birthplace. The temple grounds burned down in the 16th century during the war-torn Sengoku period, and many structures have been destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries.^[1][2]

Notable buildings

East precinct (tō-in)

• Gojūnotō – five-storied pagoda and tallest temple structure. Current pagoda completed in 1902.^[3] An Important Cultural Property of Japan.
• Kondō Hall– the main hall (hondō) of the temple. Last rebuilt in 1699.^[2] An Important Cultural Property.
• Shakadō Hall – formerly stood over Kukai's birthplace as the Mieidō Hall until moved and renamed in 1831. Built sometime 1673–1680.^[2] A Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Bell tower – Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Nandaimon – Registered Tangible Cultural Property
• Chūmon

West precinct (sai-in)

• Mieidō Hall – stands over Kūkai's birthplace. Current structure built in 1831; renovated in 1937. A Registered Tangible Cultural Property.^[2]
• Nio gate – It was rebuilt in 1889. Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Gomadō – It was rebuilt in 1889. Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Henjōkaku

Temple treasures

• Gilt bronze finial of a pilgrim's staff – National Treasure
• Preface to the Lotus Sutra decorated with Buddhas – National Treasure
• Jizō Bosatsu ryūzō – Important Cultural Property
• Kichijōten ryūzō – Important Cultural Property

Gallery

• 
  Kondō Hall (main hall)
• 
  Nio Gate and Kairō
• 
  Mieidō Hall
• 
  Henjōkaku
• 

See also

• Qinglong Temple - temple in China that Kūkai modeled Zentsuji after

• National Treasures of Japan
  • List of National Treasures of Japan (writings)
  • List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts: others)

References

External links

Japanese Buddhist architecture

Architectonic elements	hidden roof hisashi irimoya kaerumata: see nakazonae kairō karahafu karesansui kentozuka: see nakazonae komainu katōmado mokoshi moya nakazonae Niō or Kongōrikishi sandō shichidō garan shōrō sōrin tokyō tōrō onigawara
Mon (gates)	karamon nijūmon niōmon rōmon sanmon sōmon torii
Buildings	Chinjusha chōzuya/temizuya -dō main hall (kon-dō, hon-dō, butsuden) kuri kyōzō or kyō-dō shoin
Japanese pagodas	gorintō hōkyōintō hōtō kasatōba sotōba muhōtō tahōtō
Styles	Daibutsuyō Wayō Setchūyō Shoin-zukuri Shin-Wayō Zenshūyō Ōbaku Zen architecture
Others	A-un ken

Schools and objects of worship

Major schools	Jōdo Nichiren Shingon Tendai
Zen schools	Sōtō Ōbaku Rinzai
Nanto rokushū	Jōjitsu Hossō Kusha Kegon Ritsu Sanron
Objects of worship	Amida Nyōrai Benzaiten Dainichi Nyorai Jizō Kannon Marishi-ten Shaka Nyorai Shitennō (Four Kings) Twelve Heavenly Generals (Jūni Shinshō) Yakushi Nyorai

Other elements

Implements	kei (ritual gong) mokugyō
Others	bussokuseki butsudan Glossary of Japanese Buddhism Japanese Buddhist pantheon jingū-ji miyadera saisenbako