270 years since the last major repair, the remains of Hinatayashiku's Houjoubou Main Temple are disassembled for more work/Isehara

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1203190023/

March 20, 2012

Work progresses on the disassembled roof of the Houjoubou Main Temple= Hinatayashiku of Hinata, Isehara City

Designated byJapan as an important cultural property, the Hinatayashiku Houjoubou Temple (Hinata, Isehara City) is continuing along in its disassembly and repair operation, reaching the final stage of dismantling. Thought to be the building’s first large scale renovation project in 350 years, a disassembled part indicating repairs 270 years prior was discovered.

According to members from the city's board of education, Houjoubou was opened by the Buddhist priest Gyōki in 716AD, during the Nara period. Having a thatched roof containing four pillars moving diagonally towards the center (a style of Asian architecture), it was appointed by Japan in 1995 as an important cultural asset. Due to damage from both the natural degradation process and termites, the entire structure had sustained progressive damage, giving reason for the disassembly and reconstruction. Total project costs are expected to be Eight Billion Seven Hundred Million Yen (about 96 million US dollars). From January, 2011, the project has been receiving financial aid from the country, the project planned to be complete in the fall of 2016.

Completely covered in footholds and a protective outer roof for the disassembly project, the 17.7 meter high building had its wall boards, flooring and ceiling removed. Presently, only the framework remains. The disassembly will not be entirely finished until June.

The large scale repair during the early Edo period of 1660 (Manji Era Year 3) was recorded, seemingly making this the first renovation in 350 years. However, during the disassembly, a record written black ink was discovered on the opposite side of a ceiling panel. Recorded in 1745 (Enkyo Year 2), it strengthened the viewpoint that a more recent repair occurred 270 years ago.

A member of the cultural asset department of the city's board of education commented "Many parts of the building have been recycled, although it's difficult to distinguish the (exact) history of the building's repairs. At the core of the discussion on the history of the Hinatayashiku area, we wish for both the aspects of historical education and area revitalization to connect.

Original text:

２７０年前にも大改修か、日向薬師・宝城坊本堂の解体作業で痕跡/伊勢原

2012年3月20日

解体作業が進められている宝城坊本堂の屋根部分＝伊勢原市日向の日向薬師

国指定重要文化財の日向薬師・宝城坊本堂（伊勢原市日向）で進められている解体修理事業で、建物の取り壊し作業が大詰めを迎えている。当初は約３５０年ぶりの大規模改修とされていたが、解体した部材からは約２７０年前にも改修が行われたとみられる痕跡が発見された。

市教育委員会によると、宝城坊は奈良時代の７１６年、僧・行基が開創。寄せ棟造り、かやぶき屋根の建物で、１９９５年に国重要文化財に指定された。老朽化や白アリの被害により建物全体の損傷が進み、解体修理が行われることになった。総事業費は約８億７千万円の見込みで、国の補助を得て２０１１年１月から工事を進めている。16年秋までに完成の予定だ。

解体作業では、高さ17・７メートルの建物をすっぽり覆う素屋根と足場が組まれ、床板や天井、壁の板などが外された。現在は骨組みだけの状態で、今年６月までに解体がすべて終了する。

江戸初期の１６６０（万治３）年に大規模な修理が行われた記録があり、当初は約３５０年ぶりの大改修とされていた。しかし、解体作業中に天井板の裏側に「延享二年」（１７４５年）と記された墨書が発見され、約２７０年ぶりとの見方が強まっている。

市教委文化財課の担当者は「再利用している部材が多く、建物の修理履歴の判別が難しい。日向薬師は地域の歴史を語る核となる存在で、歴史教育や地域活性化につなげていきたい」と話している。