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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 [[1496]].

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 [[1496]].

Three main gates faced west, towards the Enkanchi (Enkan Pond) and [[Bentendo|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, and Ryûenden Hall, now gone.

Three main gates faced west, towards the Enkanchi (Enkan Pond) and [[Bentendo|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>

Following the destruction of the temple in World War II, the Hôjô-kyô was rebuilt in 1967; the main gate and its flanking left and right gates were rebuilt the following year.

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.

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]].

==References==

==References==

*Kerr, George. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp109ff.

*Kerr, George. ''Okinawa: The History of an Island People''. Revised Edition. Tuttle Publishing, 2000. pp109ff.

*Official plaques on site.

*Official plaques on site.

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Ryukyu]]

[[Category:Temples]]

[[Category:Temples]]