In Kamakura period (1185-1333), in course of the trade between Japan and Song Dynasty of China, Chinese Zen masters were actively invited to Kamakura to introduce Zen Buddhism in Japan. Zen Buddhism is the sect of Mahayana Buddhism which asserts that spiritual awakening from delusions can only come through deep meditation and intuition without words and letters.
Along with this arrival of Zen masters, the products of Chinese culture and the architecture style of Chinese Zen temples at that time were introduced into Japan.
In Japan, as in the case of the Shariden hall (National treasure) of Engaku-ji Temple in Kamakura, the architecture of Zen temples typically adopted the austere and sturdy style called Zenshu-yo (traditional Zen-sect-style architecture).
However, this Butsuden (Buddha hall) of Kencho-ji Temple, which enshrines its principal image (Jizo Bosatsu), seems to be graceful and decorative in comparison with the traditional Zen-style buildings. Its style looks like that of the buildings of Nikko Tosho-gu Shrine (1636) which is a typical architecture style after mid-late Edo period.
According to the description presented in the official web site of Kencho-ji, this Butsuden building is said to be the fourth building since its initial construction. In 1647, Kencho-ji took over the Mitamaya (mausoleum) of the wife (Oe no Kata) of the second Tokugawa Shogun. This mausoleum was originally located at Zojo-ji Temple in Shiba, Edo (Tokyo). On the occasion of the rebuilding of the mausoleum, this beautiful building was given to this temple together with the Karamon (Chinese-style gate).
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