Overview
Rafters radiating like a fan and densely packed brackets - the perfected form of Zen-style architecture from China.
About this place
Zuirokusan Engaku Kōshō Zenji (瑞鹿山円覚興聖禅寺), or Engaku-ji (円覚寺), is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temple complexes in Japan and is ranked second among Kamakura's Five Mountains. It is situated in the city of Kamakura, in Kanagawa Prefecture to the south of Tokyo. Founded in 1282 (Kamakura period) by Chinese Zen monk Mugaku Sōgen, the temple maintains the classical Japanese Zen monastic design, and both the Shariden and the Great Bell (大鐘, Ogane) are designated National Treasures. Engaku-ji is one of the twenty-two historic sites included in Kamakura's proposal for inclusion in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. It is located in Kita-Kamakura, very close to Kita-Kamakura Station on the Yokosuka Line, and indeed the railway tracks cut across the formal entrance to the temple compound, which is by a path beside a pond which is crossed by a small bridge.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Key facts
Founded / opened:15th century Highlights / collection:National Treasure Shariden (Relic Hall), Zen-style fan rafters Genre:Architecture
Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Official website
Check the official website for current opening hours, fees and closing days.
Source engakuji.or.jp ↗Before you go
Three questions from the World Question Box that relate to this entry.
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Written by Value Village from public sources. Nothing here is reproduced from another site. Languages: ja / en
