Paintings and calligraphy on the coffered ceiling of Koenji Temple

The founder of Koenji Temple was Kitayama Dainagon Sanetoki Ason's second son, Left Middle Captain Toshiki Ason, who retired to this place to avoid the turmoil during the Northern and Southern Courts. He was known to the public as Kitadono or Yamauradono, but he changed his surname to Yokoyama. He later became a monk and dedicated himself to mourning the lords and subjects of the Southern Court. His descendant, Yokoyama Ujihide, converted to Shinshu in 1532 and built his first temple in 1558.
The main hall was burned down in Bunka 13 (1817), and rebuilt in Bunsei 2 (1819), remaining as it is today. It is said that the calligraphy and paintings on the coffered ceiling were painted by the head priest at that time, who visited famous masters of calligraphy and painting, and had them painted one by one.

There are over 230 pieces of paintings and calligraphy, and the boards are interlocked vertically and horizontally, with the first horizontal row containing only pictures, and the second row containing alternating paintings and calligraphy, with this pattern repeated. Among them are paintings and calligraphy by famous artists such as Tanomura Chikuden, Hirose Tanso, Hirose Kyokuso, Kamei Shoyo, and Hirano Gogaku. *Photography is not permitted.

[City-designated tangible cultural property (designated December 1, 1978)]