Changes

*''Japanese'': 円覚寺 ''(Engakuji)''

*''Japanese'': 円覚寺 ''(Engakuji)''

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, and was the largest Buddhist temple in the islands.<ref>Hirakawa Nobuyuki, "A History of Ryukyuan Painting," ''Okinawan Art in its Regional Context: Historical Overview and Contemporary Practice'', Sainsbury Institute Occasional Papers No. 2, Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures, ed. Eriko Tomizawa-Kay et al. (2022), 59.</ref> 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]].<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>

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>

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. A Womb World Mandala painting graced the walls of the Buddha Hall; black and white photographs of it by [[Kamakura Yoshitaro|Kamakura Yoshitarô]] survive today.<ref>Hirakawa, 70.</ref> Similarly, posthumous ''[[ogo-e]]'' portraits of the successive kings of Ryûkyû were originally installed as wall paintings in the Great Hall, and in the 18th century were converted to, or replaced by, hanging scroll versions.<ref>「御後絵とは。。。」, gallery label, 返還文化財一般展示会 exhibit, Okinawa Prefectural Museum, 8-10 May 2024.</ref> 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>

A series of tablets in honor of the kings of Ryûkyû were erected at the temple, in a particular Ryukyuan order, with the earliest Okinawan kings ([[Shunten]], [[Eiso]], and [[Satto]]) at the center, the kings of the First Shô Dynasty on each end of the row, and the latest kings, those of the Second Shô Dynasty, between them. In short, the arrangement looked something like this:

A series of tablets in honor of the kings of Ryûkyû were erected at the temple, in a particular Ryukyuan order, with the earliest Okinawan kings ([[Shunten]], [[Eiso]], and [[Satto]]) at the center, the kings of the First Shô Dynasty on each end of the row, and the latest kings, those of the Second Shô Dynasty, between them. In short, the arrangement looked something like this: