"Takada Honzan Senjuji National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Byoraido Digital Art Night 2024" produced by HITOHATA,INC., will be held from 15 (Fri) to 17 (Sun) November 2024 at Senjuji Temple (Tsu City, Mie Prefecture), the head temple of the Takada School of Shin Buddhism. (Organised by the Takata Head Temple Senjuji Digital Art Night Executive Committee).

This event will feature digital art projection mapping images based on the designs of Senjuji's cultural assets, such as gold and colored birds and lotus flowers, projected onto two national treasures, the Mieido, a huge 42 m wide and 25 m high wooden building, and the magnificent Nyoraido, a wooden building of national treasure.

Admission to the projection mapping is free and no advance registration is required.

In addition to the projection mapping, there are also special night-time viewing tours (charged, no advance application required) of the National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido, which are illuminated with fantastic light, and guided tours by Buddhist priests, including a 360° VR theater experience in the Treasure House Torch Hall and a visit to the special area in the middle chamber of the National Treasure Mieido. A premium tour of the temple (paid, advance registration is required and can be made at the venue only if places are available), and a night market with food stalls will be held on the road in front of Senjuji Temple.

In addition, a cultural heritage AR system will be open to the public, allowing visitors to interactively view high-resolution 3D models of Senjuji's valuable cultural heritage with their smartphones. (Free of charge, some content can only be viewed by those participating in the Premium Viewing Tour).

Please enjoy the grand-scale projection mapping of the Mieido, the fifth largest wooden building in Japan among the National Treasures, and the magnificent Nyoraido, as well as the many events that will make the night at Senjuji a spectacular experience.

*This event is subsidised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the 2024 Subsidy for Cultural Resource Utilisation Project (a project to promote the use of attractive cultural assets in various parts of Japan).

*Please note that parking may not be available if you arrive by car as the car park is full. In addition, there is a possibility of heavy traffic congestion on the roads around the venue, especially between 17:30 and 19:00. We recommend that you use public transport if possible or arrive after 19:00.

Outline of the event

[Name] Takada Honzan Senjuji National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido Digital Art Night 2024

[Dates] 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) November 2024, 17:30 - 20:30

*Projection mapping will be continuously projected for approximately 7 minutes in the National Treasure Mieido and 8 minutes in the National Treasure Nyoraido, alternating with the full-length content.

*The same images can be viewed at any time of the day.

*In the event of rain, the projection mapping may be temporarily suspended or cancelled.

[Venue] Takada School Honzan Senjuji Temple National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido (2819 Ishindencho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture)

The Karamon gate on the Nyorai-do side will be closed. Please enter through the gate on the Mieido side.

<Access>

Public transportations:

Approx. 5 minutes' walk from JR Isshinden Station.

Approx. 15 minutes' walk from Ise Railway “Higashi Isshinden Station”.

About 20 minutes on foot from Takada-Honzan Station on the Kintetsu Line.

From Tsu Station: approx. 10 mins by taxi

By bus from the east exit of Tsu Station: approx. 30 mins (detour available).

By car: approx. 15 mins from Geino Interchange on Ise Expressway

　　　　　　　 15 mins from Tsu Interchange on Ise Expressway

　　           　　 5 mins from Kurimanakayama-cho on National Highway 23

Parking: Takada Honzan large parking lot (2722 Ozatokubota-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture), approx. 250 spaces.

　　　　Takada Honzan Karamon-mae Parking Lot (2800-1, Isshinden-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture), approx. 100 vehicles.

The Takada Honzan Karamon-mae Parking Lot will be closed to traffic on 17 (Sun) November due to the Isshinden-Jinaicho Festival, and the number of spaces will also be greatly restricted on 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun) November.

Temporary parking:

① Takada High School Staff Parking Lot (2618-28 Ozatokubota-cho, Tsu, Mie Prefecture): approx. 120 spaces* Available from 18:00 on 15 (Fri) November.

② Takada Gakuen JR Exit Parking Lot (2661-2 Ozatokubota-cho, Tsu, Mie Prefecture): 130 spaces *Available from 18:00 on 15 (Fri) November.

③ Nao Kato Shoten parking lot (207, Isshinden-cho, Tsu, Mie): approx. 20 vehicles.

④ Ichimida Elementary School South Ground Parking Lot (355, Ogoso, Isshinden-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture): approx. 30 spaces *Not available in the event of rain.

⑤ Takada Nursery School staff parking lot (280 Isshinden-cho, Tsu, Mie Prefecture): approx. 30 spaces *Only available on 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun) November.

⑥Takada Junior College parking lot (195 Toyono, Isshinden-cho, Tsu, Mie), approx. 150 spaces*Available from 18:00 on 15 (Fri) November.

⑦ Mie Human Rights Centre (693-1 Isshinden-cho Ogoso, Tsu, Mie): approx. 70 spaces *Available from 17:00 on 15 (Fri) November.

⑧ Former Parlour Delco parking lot (478-4, Kamitsubeda, Isshinden-cho, Tsu, Mie), approx. 100 spaces* Available on 16 (Sat) and 17 (Sun) November only.

*Due to the limited number of parking spaces, it is recommended to use public transport as far as possible.

*Please note that the temporary car park is up to 1.5 km from the venue.

[Contents, fees, etc.]　

<①Projection mapping of the National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido.>

Digital art projection mapping images featuring the designs of Senjuji's cultural assets, such as gold and coloured birds and lotus flowers, will be projected onto the two national treasures, the Mieido, a huge 42 m wide and 25 m high wooden building, and the magnificent Nyoraido, a wooden building of national treasure.

Time: 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) November 2024, 17:30 - 20:30.

Venue: National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido in Senjuji Temple precincts (outdoors)

Fee: Free admission, no advance booking required.

*Projection mapping will be continuously projected for approximately 7 minutes in the National Treasure Mikado and 8 minutes in the National Treasure Nyoraido, alternating with the full-length content.

*The projection mapping can be viewed at any time of the day.

*In the event of rain, the projection mapping may be temporarily suspended or cancelled.

*The final projection time of the projection mapping is from 20:15 in the National Treasure Mieido and from 20:22 in the National Treasure Nyoraido.

Projection mapping of the National Treasure Mieido (image)

Projection mapping of the National Treasure Nyoraido (image)

<②Special night-time viewing of the National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido.>

The National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido, which are normally closed at night, are specially opened and decorated with fantastic night-time light. (Charged, no advance application required).

Opening hours: 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) November 2024, 17:30 - 20:30 (last admission 20:00)

Reception: tent on the east side of the National Treasure Mieido 

*After registration, visitors can enter the hall from the east entrance of the National Treasure Mieido.

Admission: 500 yen, no advance application required.

*Free for primary school students and younger.

*The Nyoraido can be viewed from inside the National Treasure Mieido via the Tsutenkyo Bridge (corridor connecting the Mikado and Nyoraido halls, an Important Cultural Property).

Special night-time viewing of the National Treasure Mieido

Special night-time viewing of the National Treasure Nyoraido

<③ VR Theatre in the Treasure House Tokoden and Premium Viewing Tour of the National Treasure Mieido.>

This premium guided tour by a monk includes a 360° VR theatre experience in the Treasure House and a visit to the special area of the National Treasure Mieido.

Tour schedule: 17:00-17:50, 17:20-18:10, 17:40-18:30, 18:00-18:50, 18:20-19:10, 18:40-19:30, 19:00-19:50, 19:20-20:10, 19:40-20:30

Duration: approx. 50 minutes each time.

Capacity: 40 people per session *Close when capacity is reached.

Reception: Tent on the north side of Senjuji Tea House, Renshin-an.

Fee: 1,500 yen, advance application required. (application can be made at the reception desk only if available).

*Free for primary schools students and younger (application also required for primary schools students and younger).

How to apply: please apply in advance via the website below.

*Applications accepted via the website ended at 23:59 on Thursday, November 14th. After that, please apply at the venue reception.

*After the Premium Viewing Tour is disbanded, you can also visit ② Special Night Viewing of the National Treasure Mieido and National Treasure Nyoraido.

*All tours are accompanied by a monk guide.

*Departure times may be delayed depending on the progress of the tour. Please note that the departure time may be delayed depending on the progress of the tour.

Premium Viewing Tour of the National Treasure Mieido

VR Theatre in the Treasure House Tokoden

＜④Night Marché＞

The road in front of Senjuji Temple is turned into a pedestrian zone and a night marché is held with food stalls and other stalls.

Time: 15 (Fri) - 17 (Sun) Nov 2024 17:30 - 20:30 *Varies according to shops.

Location: Senjuji-mae Road, between Senjuji Karamon and Senjuji Sanmon.

＜⑤Cultural asset AR＞

High-resolution 3D models of Senjuji's valuable cultural assets can be viewed interactively on your smartphone.

Viewing method: Read the QR codes placed inside Senjuji Temple with your smartphone camera and hold the camera over each spot (AR marker) to experience augmented reality (AR) content. No app download is required and different content can be experienced at each spot.

Fee: Free (some content can only be viewed by those participating in the Premium Viewing Tour).

*Please turn on your smartphone's location services.

Cultural asset AR (image)

[Requests to visitors]

・When taking photos or videos of the projection mapping, please refrain from using flash photography, drone photography or using a tripod for long periods of time in the front rows during busy times. The shutter sound of continuous shooting may disturb people around you, so please refrain from taking continuous shots or use the silent shooting function during busy times.

・When filming projection mapping, the maximum camera position for the use of a tripod is at the height of the filmmaker's head, regardless of the viewing location (except for filming by official recording staff). Please refrain from using a stepladder or other object that does not allow the photographer's feet to touch the ground.

・Please note that you may be photographed or filmed by staff and may be included in media coverage. Please be aware of this in advance.

・Please note that photography is not permitted in some areas of the Special Night Viewing and Premium Viewing Tours. Please be aware of this.

・Please note that photography is not permitted in some areas of the Special Night Viewing and Premium Viewing Tours.

[Organiser] Takada Honzan Senjuji Digital Art Night Executive Committee

[Special Support] Shinshu Takada Honzan Senjuji Temple, Mie Prefecture Tourism Federation

[Planning and production] HITOHATA,INC.

[Cooperation] CREATE SUZUKA CO., LTD.

Takada Honzan Senjuji National Treasure Nyoraido and National Treasure Mieido Digital Art Night 2024

About Senshuji Temple, head temple of the Takada School of Shin Buddhism

Senjuji Temple is the head temple of the Shinshu Takata sect, which has over 600 temples throughout Japan. It is a temple that has straightly inherited the teachings of its founder, Shinran Shonin, and protects the remains of his family in a mausoleum on the temple grounds. Located in Isshindencho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, it is affectionately known as Takata Head Temple.

In addition to the Nyoraido and Mieido, the first national treasure buildings in Mie Prefecture, the temple is home to many national treasures of Buddhism and important cultural properties designated by the government. More than 100 lotus flowers of 35 varieties, which are believed to bloom in the Pure Land, can be enjoyed in the precincts of the temple. From 9 to 16 January every year, the largest Shinshu puja, ‘Ho-on-ko’, is held here.

The vast grounds of the temple, which are about two times the size of the Tokyo Dome, are home to Mie Prefecture's first national treasure buildings, Nyoraido and Mieido, as well as numerous national treasures and important cultural properties designated by the government.

The largest of these buildings, the Mikado, is one of the five most magnificent wooden structures in the country for temple architecture of the Edo period.

In the precincts of the temple, visitors can enjoy more than 100 pots of lotus flowers in 35 varieties, which are believed to bloom in the Pure Land.

*From the Takata Honzan Senjuji website.

About the National Treasure Mieido

A wooden statue of Shinran Shonin, the founder of the temple, is enshrined on the central platform, and images of successive generations of priests are respectfully displayed on both side platforms and in both rooms. The hall is covered with 780 tatami mats, making it the fifth largest wooden building of national treasure in Japan.

The architectural style is purely Japanese, and although it is simple, it exudes a calm appearance. The gable decoration is a standard double-leafed beam construction, and the hanging kenyo is a typical three-flowered kenyo, with solid craftsmanship that is beautifully done. The entire gable is covered in copper sheets, and the gable boards are adorned with gold-colored metal fittings with the Goshichi Kirimon crest, giving it a calm and heavy feel. The structure in which a thick bottle bundle with a obi shape is placed on top of the leafed beam that connects the veranda with round eaves tiles to the main building, and then connected to the main building with a shrimp leafed beam, was a structure that was favored by carpenters employed by the Edo Shogunate. These techniques suggest a relationship between the master carpenter of this hall and the Edo Shogunate. The interior layout is almost standard for Shinshu temples, but what makes it different from the main hall of the Honganji school is that the large room is long horizontally, and the floors of the two extra rooms are one step higher near the back. These seem to have influenced each branch temple, and became a characteristic of Takada school temple architecture afterwards.

*From the Takada Honzan Senjuji website

National treasure Mieido

About the National Treasure Nyoraido

This hall is located to the west of the Mieido and faces south alongside the Mieido. The principal image is the standing statue of Amida Nyorai (made by Kaikei, a National Important Cultural Property) known as the "Nyorai of Evidence," and according to doctrine, this hall is the main hall of the temple complex.

The building area is about half that of the Mieido, but it is a magnificent structure worthy of a Buddhist hall of Amida Nyorai. The two-tiered roof and the ridge height are almost the same as the Mieido, which is likely to be to show the grandeur of the main hall. For this reason, the exterior appears to be two-story, but there is no second floor, and the lower roof has three types of eaves called mokai. Looking at the construction of the eaves of the upper roof, the rafters are forked and fan-shaped, and are supported by a complex construction called shitesaki. These eaves structures are so-called "tsumegumi" (stick-out structures) that are placed between the pillars, and it is clear that the structure was built entirely in the Zen style (Chinese style) of architecture. The tips of the tail rafters are carved with elephants, dragons and bakemonos, and the frog-legs on the lower level incorporate carvings of people based on historical stories from China, making this a truly elaborate and sophisticated building.

*From the Takada Honzan Senjuji website

National Treasure Nyoraido

For more information about the cultural assets of Takada Honzan Senjuji Temple, please check the digital book.

http://www.senjuji.or.jp/nihonhaku/digitalbook/

*This event is being held with the support of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' FY2024 "Cultural Resource Utilization Project Subsidy (Project to Promote the Utilization of Attractive Cultural Assets from Around the Country)."