| An octagonal
hall at Houryuuji 法隆寺, Nara, which was destroyed by a typhoon in 1050. The structure
was rebuilt in 1250. It is the second largest octagonal hall in Japan. The
podium dates from 718 and is made of foundation stones *soseki
礎石. There is a low extended edge that surrounds the podium on the upper
edge of its surface much like the arrangement of the *Yumedono
夢殿 built in 739 in Houryuuji's east precinct. The steps are constructed
on the sides. Double windows fill the bays on each side of the main entrance.
The walls are covered with white plaster *shikkui
漆喰. The bracket system is very simple: at each corner is a 3-on-1 bracket
complex *mitsudo tokyou
三斗斗きょう, and centered between the corners are bearing-block capped struts,
*kentozuka 間斗束.
During the major reconstruction in 1250, the roofs' internal construction
was changed so that the roof became higher than the original one. The tiled
roof, *kawarabuki
瓦葺, has been changed many times and thus no ogre tiles *onigawara
鬼瓦, from the 13c remain. At the peak is a simple tear-drop shaped form
*houju 宝珠, made of iron.
The inner sanctuary *naijin
内陣, is an octagon formed by eight stout pillars with the same diameter as
the exterior ones. A small octagonal dais is centered within this area.
A step canopy * kouhai
向拝, with an undulating gable *karahafu
唐破風, was added in the Edo period but was replaced during the repairs of
1935 with a canopy more suited to the 13c. design. The main image enshrined
is of Yakushi 薬師. It was saved when the building was destroyed in 1050 and
was housed in the Houryuuji *Koudou 講堂 until the rebuilding in 1250. The
statue was made by the *dakkatsu
kanshitsu 脱活乾漆 method, using the Nara's period's dry lacquer
style. |
