絵画
Painting

To Face the Life
Yorimichi's view of life and death

鳳凰堂中堂壁扉画

Paintings on the door of Phoenix Hall “Kuhon Raiko-zu”
(Reproduction)

01

Paintings on the Walls and Doors in Chu-do Hall of Phoenix Hall (Hou-ou-do)鳳凰堂中堂壁扉画

[National Treasure]

The interior of Phoenix Hall displays Japan's oldest existing “Kuhon Raiko-zu” in the Yamato-e style (Japanese painting style developed in the Heian period). In Buddhism, it is believed that the Amida Buddha (Amida Nyorai) classifies a person's deeds into nine levels at their death depending on the acts of merit and belief made while alive. This scene is depicted in the paintings on the doors and walls inside the Phoenix Hall. One of them is the “Nissokan-zu” which represents the scene of a superb sunset. The paintings are important historical materials that reflect the view of nature and religion people had in those days while also showing the culture of that time.

  • 上品中生図(部分)《国宝》
  • 日想観図（復元）
  • 仏後壁
02

Interior Colors of Phoenix Hall鳳凰堂 堂内彩色

The interior of Phoenix Hall was adorned not only with colorful paintings on the walls and doors but also was full of vivid colors and Hosoge flowery patterns from the pillars to the ceiling. Sixty-six bronze mirrors are embedded on the ceiling which reflect sunlight. It can be imagined how beautiful the interior became when surrounded by the reflection of beautiful colors.

  • 天井彩色
  • 堂内復元CG
  • 柱絵展開図の復元CG

Temple MapModel Course (50 min.)Model Course (90 min.)

上品中生図(部分)《国宝》

Johon Chusho-zu (Part) [National Treasure]

Colored on wood board　Heian period (11th century)
“Johon Chusho-zu” is the second level in the nine classifications of the Kuhon Raigo-zu.
This is a part of the painting on the door made when the temple was founded.
Today, all of the removable doors from that time have been replaced with reproductions.

日想観図（復元）

Nissokan-zu (Reproduction)

This painting decorates the door on the west side of Phoenix Hall which is the most important direction in Buddhism since the west is believed to be the direction of the Buddhist Pure Land. This depicts a scene of the first Nisso (one of the Buddhist trainings in which a monk observes the sunset) out of the 16 stages which is exhorted in the sutra called “Kanmuryojukyo.” In the painting, a lady is observing the sun gloriously setting into the ocean.

仏後壁

Wall Behind Amida Buddha (Butsugo-heki)

The wall behind the Amira Buddha (Amida Nyorai) has the images of a tower and bridge which look exactly like Phoenix Hall.

天井彩色

Ceiling Decoration

The coffered ceiling of Phoenix Hall has the splendid Hosoge flowery patterns. One pattern covers four panels.

堂内復元CG

Reproduction of the Interior of Phoenix Hall by CG (Computer Graphic)

A computer graphic which reproduces an image of the colorful interior of Phoenix Hall at the time of its founding. The massive decoration covering the entire temple building is the one and only example of that time.

柱絵展開図の復元CG

Reproduction of the Composition of the Pillar Paintings by CG (Computer Graphic)

The pillars of Phoenix Hall depict Hosoge and Karakusa patterns, fluttering phoenix, Bosatsu Buddha playing musical instruments, and so on.