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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 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>

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]].<ref>[[Gregory Smits]] points out that the name of the temple could also refer to the "enlightenment" (覚) of "En" (円), i.e. Shô En. Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 138.</ref> A monument erected on the site in [[1497]] and inscribed in [[classical Chinese]] by the monk Shûyô indicates that Shô Shin pacified the country and laid the foundations for a peaceful and prosperous future; that the establishment of the temple itself brings prosperity to the people and that all the people of the land supported its construction; and finally that the king has planted a number of [[pine]] trees symbolic of his wish to nurture the growth of the kingdom.<ref>Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu'', 138.</ref>

 

A temple bell which was to become much celebrated was cast in [[1495]]-[[1496]] by a [[Suo province|Suô province]]-based Japanese metalworker identified only as 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>