“Temple of the Correct Fortune.” That is the meaning of Shofuku-ji’s name. Welcome to Shofuku-ji. It is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple.
Shofuku-ji is in Higashimurayama Tokyo. The deity here is Senju Kannon Bosatsu. This serene temple is more than just a place of worship. It is a journey through time.
Let us step back to the Kamakura period in 1270. Shofuku-ji was founded then. Temple records say that a Jizo hall was built in 1278. Kamakura Regent Hojo Tokiyori sponsored it.
The story says Tokiyori fell ill on a hunting trip. A resident priest nursed him back to health. Tokiyori then commissioned builders to construct the Jizo hall. They came from Kamakura. Some question this story since Tokiyori died in 1263. Official patronage from the Kamakura shogunate was key to the temple’s construction. The temple may have been built during Hojo Tokimune’s ministry. He was Tokiyori’s son. He defended Japan against Mongol invasions.
The current Jizo hall was rebuilt in 1407. This is according to an inscription in India ink. It was found in 1933 during repairs. The writing stated this temple has been dedicated to Jizo Bodhisattva since its founding.
Shofuku-ji remains largely in its original configuration. It has stood the test of time.
Notice the unique architecture of the Jizo hall. It employed new building techniques. Japanese master builders perfected these during the Kamakura era. This permitted more strength detail and elasticity. It was better compared to Chinese Korean or earlier Japanese techniques.
From the outside it looks like a two-story structure. It has sharply upturned eaves on the roofs. Inside it is a single open space. This effect comes from the lower roof mokoshi. This style is called Zenshuyo.
The Shariden of Enkaku-ji in Kamakura has a similar style. But there are differences. The mokoshi of Shofuku-ji Jizo hall is covered in copper. This ensures good conservation. The door opens inward.
The hall includes architectural innovations. Elastic Japanese cypress steel support chisels and decorative brackets were used. Cantilevers are also present. These innovations created a structure that appears lightweight. It has a curved hip roof. Its open interior and upturned eaves protect it from earthquakes.
Originally the roofs were thatched. In 1933 the roof was changed to shingles. This restored it closer to the original design. Thin boards were piled and fixed with bamboo nails. This “Kokerabuki” style is also seen at Katsura Imperial Villa and Kinkaku-ji.
The building was designated a National Treasure on March 29 1952.
Lay people can only enter the building once a year. This happens during the Jizo-matsuri festival. It is held on November 3.
Shofuku-ji’s Jizo hall is a representative example of Kamakura architecture. It is one of the most intact. Though 50 kilometers from Kamakura this area was the outer sphere of Kamakura defenses. This remoteness helped its preservation. It avoided the destruction that Kamakura buildings experienced.
Shofuku-ji has a tradition of healing. Locals believe it helps cure illness. Outside the hall are wooden dolls. When someone is sick a doll is taken to their home. Upon recovery the original doll and a new one are returned to the temple.
As you leave Shofuku-ji consider its legacy. It is a testament to resilience architectural innovation and enduring traditions. Its story is etched in its wooden beams. It echoes in the whispers of the wind. Shofuku-ji stands as a beacon of correct fortune.