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Engaku-ji was the family temple for the second [[Sho Dynasty|Shô Dynasty]], and the head temple of [[Rinzai Zen]] in [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]]. Established in [[1492]] and constructed over the next three years, it was located just north of [[Shuri Castle]], just outside the castle walls. Designated a [[National Treasure]] in 1933, the temple was destroyed in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, and today only the gates of the temple have been rebuilt.

Engaku-ji was the family temple for the second [[Sho Dynasty|Shô Dynasty]], and the head temple of [[Rinzai Zen]] in [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]]. Established in [[1492]] and constructed over the next three years, it was located just north of [[Shuri Castle]], just outside the castle walls. Designated a [[National Treasure]] in 1933, the temple was destroyed in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa, and today only the gates of the temple have been rebuilt.

The temple was founded by King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] in order to enshrine the spirit of his father, King [[Sho En|Shô En]]. The Zen master [[Kaiin]] of [[Nanzenji]] served as the first abbot of Engaku-ji, which he named after and based on the [[Zen]] temple [[Engakuji]] in [[Kamakura]]. A temple bell which was to become much celebrated was cast in [[1495]]-[[1496]] by [[Suo province|Suô province]]-based Japanese metalworker Yamato Sôshû. The 1.9 ton bell was recast in [[1697]].<ref name=bell>Gallery labels, [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30371326186/in/photostream/]</ref>

The temple was founded by King [[Sho Shin|Shô Shin]] in order to enshrine the spirit of his father, King [[Sho En|Shô En]]. The Zen master [[Kaiin]] of [[Nanzenji]] served as the first abbot of Engaku-ji, which he named after and based on the [[Zen]] temple [[Engakuji]] in [[Kamakura]]. A temple bell which was to become much celebrated was cast in [[1495]]-[[1496]] by [[Suo province|Suô province]]-based Japanese metalworker Yamato Sôshû. The 1.9 ton bell still survives today, but as it was already showing considerable signs of wear by [[1697]], a reproduction of the bell was cast at that time. Both the 1495-96 bell, and its 1697 recreation, are today held by the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]], and have been designated [[Important Cultural Properties]].<ref name=bell>Gallery labels, [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30371326186/in/photostream/][https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/30407370545/in/photostream/]</ref>

Three main gates faced west, towards the [[Ryutan|Enkanchi]] (Enkan Pond) and Benten-dô ([[Benten]] Hall). Beyond them, a small pond known as Hôjô-chi was spanned by a small stone bridge called Hôjô-kyô, built in 1496. This path, from the central gate and across the bridge, led directly to the inner temple gate, and then to the main plaza, or ''[[garan]]'', of the temple, including a Buddha Hall (''butsuden''), bell tower, Great Hall (''ôdono''), and Oshôdô<!--御照堂-->, now gone. Many of these buildings were repaired or renovated over the years, especially in the 1580s-90s and the late 17th century. After the Great Hall burnt down in [[1721]], it was rebuilt and renamed the Ryûenden<!--龍淵殿-->.<ref>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref>

Three main gates faced west, towards the [[Ryutan|Enkanchi]] (Enkan Pond) and Benten-dô ([[Benten]] Hall). Beyond them, a small pond known as Hôjô-chi was spanned by a small stone bridge called Hôjô-kyô, built in 1496. This path, from the central gate and across the bridge, led directly to the inner temple gate, and then to the main plaza, or ''[[garan]]'', of the temple, including a Buddha Hall (''butsuden''), bell tower, Great Hall (''ôdono''), and Oshôdô<!--御照堂-->, now gone. Many of these buildings were repaired or renovated over the years, especially in the 1580s-90s and the late 17th century. After the Great Hall burnt down in [[1721]], it was rebuilt and renamed the Ryûenden<!--龍淵殿-->.<ref>''Earth Exhibit of Ryukyu Kingdom''. Ryûfûan Hawaii. 2010. p12.</ref>

These tablets were temporarily rearranged into a standard Chinese arrangement (with the reigns simply alternating left and right, extending outwards from the earliest kings at the center, to the latest at the edges) whenever [[Chinese investiture envoys]] visited the islands. They were then placed back into the Ryukyuan order after the envoys had left.<ref>[[Gregory Smits]], "Ryukyu and its Geo-cultural Context," presentation at [http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan symposium], University of Hawaii at Manoa, 10 Feb 2013.</ref>

These tablets were temporarily rearranged into a standard Chinese arrangement (with the reigns simply alternating left and right, extending outwards from the earliest kings at the center, to the latest at the edges) whenever [[Chinese investiture envoys]] visited the islands. They were then placed back into the Ryukyuan order after the envoys had left.<ref>[[Gregory Smits]], "Ryukyu and its Geo-cultural Context," presentation at [http://www.hawaii.edu/asiaref/japan/event2013/Index.htm#symposium Interpreting Parades and Processions of Edo Japan symposium], University of Hawaii at Manoa, 10 Feb 2013.</ref>

Many of the temple's structures were named [[National Treasures]] in 1933, but the entirely of the temple was destroyed in the 1945 battle of Okinawa. The Hôjô-kyô bridge was rebuilt in 1967; the main gate and its flanking left and right gates were rebuilt the following year. The surviving bell<ref name=bell/> and rebuilt bridge were named [[Important Cultural Properties]], and archaeological research continues on the site today. Some carved wooden elements and other objects from the temple survive today, in the collection of the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].<ref>Gallery labels and objects on display at Okinawa Prefectural Museum, August 2013.</ref>

Many of the temple's structures were named [[National Treasures]] in 1933, but the entirely of the temple was destroyed in the 1945 battle of Okinawa. The Hôjô-kyô bridge was rebuilt in 1967; the main gate and its flanking left and right gates were rebuilt the following year. The rebuilt bridge was named an Important Cultural Property in 1975, and archaeological research continues on the site today. Some carved wooden elements and other objects from the temple survive today, in the collection of the [[Okinawa Prefectural Museum]].<ref>Gallery labels and objects on display at Okinawa Prefectural Museum, August 2013.</ref>

Engaku-ji was closely tied to the Benten-dô located just opposite its gates; a particularly important set of Buddhist texts from Korea, gifted to the kingdom by Korea, were kept in this Benten Hall until they were stolen and taken back to Japan during the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu|invasion of Ryûkyû]].

Engaku-ji was closely tied to the Benten-dô located just opposite its gates; a particularly important set of Buddhist texts from Korea, gifted to the kingdom by Korea, were kept in this Benten Hall until they were stolen and taken back to Japan during the [[1609]] [[invasion of Ryukyu|invasion of Ryûkyû]].