ICOMOS Global Case Study Project On Reco

Martínez de Arbulo, Alejandro (2018) "ICOMOS Global Case Study Project on Recovery and Reconstruction: Sensho-ji
Temple Main Hall" (published on:

https://www.icomos.org/en/focus/reconstruction/41704-icomos-global-case-study-project-on-reconstruction)
ICOMOS Global Case Study Project on Recovery and

Reconstruction: Sensho-ji Temple Main Hall
Alejandro Martínez de Arbulo
1. Sensho-ji Temple and its Context before the Earthquake
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1.1 Description
1.1.1 Location and Setting
Sensho-ji is a Buddhist temple located to the east of Iwaki City (Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) on a hill
overlooking the valley of the Natsui River (Fig.1, right). The Outer Gate stands next to the foot of the hill;
from there, several flights of stone steps lead to the main compound near the top. The Main Hall stands in
the centre, facing east; with the Founder's Hall to the south and the Priest's Quarters to the north. At the
southeast corner the tombs of former priests are grouped in a small graveyard. The Inner Gate stands to
the front, with the Belfry outside north of the steps.
Fig. 1 General layout of Sensho-ji Temple in the early 18th century (left) and today (right)
1
This section covers the items "General Description", "Form, Function, Creation and subsequent Transformations",
"History, Ownership and Environment", "Social and Economic Setting", "Frameworks, Agents and Communication" under
sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the matrix.
1
1.1.2 Materials and Techniques
The Main Hall of Sensho-ji is a timber-framed building. The main post-and-beam structure supports a large
roof structure consisting of timber struts, tie beams and rafters. Sliding doors and wooden board walls are
employed as interior partitions. Small plastered wattle-and-daub walls are set between the tie beams.
Before the earthquake, the roof was covered with iron plates shaped as tiles (Fig. 2); originally the building
had a thatched roof.
Different species of wood are employed, including pine and
cedar. In repair works, when substituting a decayed timber
member becomes necessary, timber of the same species and
grading is employed. This kind of timber is still available,
although it has become increasingly difficult to obtain wood for
the repair of timber buildings inside Japan (especially in the
case of large members), and sometimes wood has to be

Fig.2 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple imported. In this case, even if the species and grading is the
before the earthquake
same, quality and properties may differ. The Agency for
Cultural Affairs of the Japanese Government (ACA) has started a program of forests dedicated to the
production of timber for the repair of heritage buildings in order to address this problem.
Timber members are joined mainly through woodwork joints, with minimal use of metallic fasteners.
Woodwork joints are also used for repair works to join old and new timber when the decayed part of a
timber member is substituted (see 4.2). The type of joint depends on the position and structural function of
the member. Joints also changed historically, tending to become more complex. When a member is
substituted during repair work, the type of joint and the finishing of the member (plane, adze, etc.) are
reproduced. Traditional carpentry techniques are required to carry out these repairs. Since 1975, traditional
techniques required for heritage conservation (including carpentry) are protected, and courses for
carpenters are subsidized by the ACA. Carpenters who work on the repair of heritage buildings are licensed
through these courses.
1.1.3 Form and Design
The Main Hall of Sensho-ji is 22.2 m wide and 17.9 m deep (Fig. 3 right, Fig. 4 right). It is single-storied, and
covered by a hip-and-gable roof. The inside of the Hall is divided by a row of pillars into the worship area
(gejin) to the front and the inner part. A corridor surrounds both parts. In addition, there is a veranda to the
front and an entrance porch. The gejin is a large undivided space. The inner part has a raised floor and is
further divided into the sanctuary (naijin) and two side rooms. Inside the naijin there is a main altar in the
centre and two side altars to the rear; in addition, there is an altar attached to the rear wall of the south side
room. On top of the main altar there is a raised coffered ceiling; on top of the corridor surrounding the
building the rafters make up the ceiling. The rest of the building has a board and batten ceiling. Round posts
2
are employed around the naijin
and between the inner part and

the gejin; in the rest of the
building chamfered square pillars
are employed.
In Japanese temple architecture,
the character and rank of the
Fig.3 Floor plan of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple, before (right) and after building is often expressed
(left) restoration
through elaborate bracket
complexes (kumimono)
supporting the eaves. In this
building, bracket complexes are
relatively simple. Together with
the use of square posts, this
confers the building a serene
appearance, close in character
to residential architecture.
1.1.4 Changes in Function and

2
Form
Sensho-ji was founded in 1395
as Buddhist temple belonging to
the Nagoe sect of the Jodo
School of Buddhism, one of the
most important Buddhist sects
during the early modern period in
Japan. Sensho-ji became
important as one of the four
centres for the education of new

monks (danrin) belonging to this
sect.
Fig.4 Elevations and sections of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple, before
(right) and after (left) restoration
2 The account of the history of Sensho-ji and the transformations of the Main Hall is based on Okawa, 2016 and
Shinonaga, 2017.
3
A fire in 1668 destroyed most of the temple, but it
was reconstructed thanks to the support of the
branch temples and the local feudal lord. The
temple documents show that during its peak, in the

th th
late 17 - early 18 century, several buildings
existed apart from those standing today (Fig. 1, left),
including residences for the monks. At that time,

Fig.5 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple in 1671 there were as many as 248 branch temples
depending from Sensho-ji.
The present Main Hall was reconstructed after the
fire in 1671. At the time of the reconstruction, the
building had a hipped roof covered with thatch; the
floor of the side rooms was not elevated; and the

naijin was separated from the gejin and the side
rooms through sliding doors (Fig. 5). Inside the

naijin there were only side altars. There was a
Fig.6 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple in 1682~1700
ceiling only on top of the naijin; and there was no
floor in the front veranda. This layout is consistent

with the use of the building as danrin: the open
gejin is designed to accommodate a large number
of student monks; while the closed naijin was a
space for the private transmission of oral traditions.
The side rooms were also employed as lecture
rooms.
Surveys carried out during the repair works after
Fig.7 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple in the 1780s the earthquake (see 3.2.2, 4.2) have revealed the
detailed history of transformations and alterations
of the building (Fig. 6~8). The main ones are:
• In 1682, the floor of the naijin and the

side rooms was elevated, the main altar was
installed, and the inside and outside of the naijin as
well as the elements separating the inner part from

the gejin were painted. In addition, the ceiling of the
side rooms and the gejin was installed (Fig. 6).
•
th
In the late 17 century, the Priest’s
Fig.8 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple around 1854
Quarters and a residence for monks were built to
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the north and south of the Main Hall respectively, and corridors connecting to these buildings were
added, together with the floor of the front veranda (Fig. 6).
•
th
In the late 18 century, the sliding door between the naijin and the gejin were removed, and sliding
doors were added between the gejin and the corridor (Fig. 7).
• In 1854, an altar was added to the south side room (Fig. 8).
• In 1902, the roofing material was changed from thatch to tile, the roof slope was reduced and the
roof structure modified accordingly.
• In 1964, the roofing material was changed from ceramic tiles to tile-shaped iron plates.
Sensho-ji lost progressively its function as danrin from the Meiji period (1868-1912). Consequently, the
temple lost its main source of income, and maintaining its buildings became difficult. Around 20 buildings,
including the residences for the monks, were demolished during this time. The danrin system was
completely abandoned soon afterwards. Currently, the priest does not reside permanently in the temple and
divides his time between Sensho-ji and another temple in Iwaki City. The number of parishioners that
support the temple is also comparatively small.
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1.1.5 Condition before the earthquake and vulnerability
Due to the lack of funds to carry out maintenance and repairs, the building was in a poor condition already
before the earthquake. By 1973, timber members especially on the south side were in an advanced state of
decay and the whole structure was visibly leaning forwards, presumably because of the excess load of the
tile roofing added in 1902. The temple, the parishioners and the municipality did not have the means to
repair the building. By 1980 it was considered to be close to collapsing and the municipality renounced to
designate it as cultural property because adequate measures for its conservation could not be taken. The
building came finally under protection as a heritage resource at the prefectural level in 1991. However,
thorough repairs were not carried out; only temporary measures, such as stabilizing the leaning by pulling
the building with wires from the back, were taken in 2001.
Thus, the building was in need of a major repair already before the earthquake and the damage caused by
the disaster was multiplied by its poor state of conservation.
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1.2 Designation and Recognition
1.2.1 Official Designation
The buildings and site of Sensho-ji became protected as cultural heritage at several levels through a
3 The account of the condition of the building before the earthquake is based on Fukushima Prefecture Board of
Education, 2003.
4 This section covers the items " Official Designation or Inscription ", " Scholarly Recognition", " Popular Recognition",
under section 1.1 of the matrix.
5
gradual process. The Belfry was designated as a Tangible Cultural Property at the municipal level in 1984.
The temple grounds were designated as a Historical Site and Place of Scenic Beauty at the prefectural level
in 1987. In 1989, the Priest’s Quarters were designated as a Tangible Cultural Property at the municipal
level; the Main Hall was not designated at the time due to its advanced state of decay. The Main Hall was
en designated as Important Cultural Property at the prefectural level in 1991. Lastly, in 2004, the Main Hall,
Priest's Quarters and Outer Gate were designated as Important Cultural Properties at the national level.
There are five criteria for designating buildings as Important Cultural Properties at the national level: (1)
outstanding design value, (2) outstanding technical value, (3) high historical value, (4) high academic value,
(5) showing the special features of a particular school or region. In addition to meeting at least one of these
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criteria, buildings are required to be a representative example of their time period or typology . The Main
Hall of Sensho-ji was designated under criteria (1) and (3). The official description made at the time of the
designation includes an architectural description of the buildings and the following evaluation:
"Sensho-ji was an important temple as the main centre of the Jodo School in Northeast Japan, and
one of the few danrin in the region. The size of the Main Hall and Priest's Quarters reflect its high
status. The layout of the Main Hall, with an open gejin, a closed naijin, and two lecture rooms on the
sides, as well as the unpretentious, sober design are appropriate to its function as danrin. Together
with the Priest's Quarters and the Outer Gate, measures are taken for the conservation of the temple
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compound."
Thus, the official description emphasizes the attributes of design and function; specifically, it points at the
layout of the building, which reflects its function as a danrin.
1.2.2 Scholarly Recognition
There are two main scholarly works on Sensho-ji:

1) Jodo-shu Nagoe-ha Danrin Sensho-ji Shi (History of Sensho-ji, a danrin of the Nagoe sect of the Jodo
school, edited by T. Sato, 1995) is a study on the history of the temple, compiling primary sources such as
the temple chronicles and documents.

2) Sensho-ji no Kenchiku (Fukushima-ken Kinsei Shaji Kenchiku Kinkyu Chosa Hokokusho - Hoi) (The
Architecture of Sensho-ji - Report on the Emergency Survey of Early Modern Period Shrines and Temples
in Iwaki Prefecture - Appendix, Fukushima Prefecture Board of Education, 2003) is the report of the
architectural survey conducted in 2002, focused on its architectural features but reporting also the condition
of the building at the time.
Both works were explicitly cited in the official description that accompanied the designation of the Main Hall
as Important Cultural Property.
Since the start of the repair works after the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, a number of papers have been
5 Criteria for the designation of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (Buildings), 1951, third revision
1996.
6 This official description can be consulted at http://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index_pc.html
6
7
published by the conservation architects . Their main focus is presenting the construction history of the
Main Hall, detailing the transformations and adaptations that had been made since its original construction;
this information became clear through the surveys made during the repair process (see 3.2.2, 4.2).
1.2.3 Popular Recognition
The temple grounds are famous for its plum trees; during the blossom season it is a popular spot to enjoy
the flowers. This was one of the reasons of the designation of the site as a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Initiatives to attract tourists are mostly based on this feature.
Most Buddhist temples are supported by a community of parishioners whose donations constitute its main
source of income. However, as mentioned above, the main function of Sensho-ji was the education of
monks, and its parish is relatively small. This makes difficult to gather the required funding for repair and
maintenance. In order to fund the post-earthquake repairs, donations had to be actively gathered through
several initiatives.
2. The Great Tohoku Earthquake and its Impact
2.1 General Description and Impact of the Event

The Great Tohoku Earthquake (11 March 2011) was a magnitude 9.0 (Mw) earthquake with its epicentre off
the northeast coast of Japan. It was followed by a tsunami that caused catastrophic damage to 500 km of
coast, and caused the nuclear disaster of the Fukushima Daiichi plant. It had a lasting effect on the
economy and society of all the north-eastern region of Japan, Fukushima Prefecture being one of the most
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affected areas. The human cost of the disaster is estimated in 18,434 persons missing or deceased , most
of them caused by the tsunami. The total cost of the damage was reported to be approximately 17 trillion
yen (220 billion USD).
Japan is an earthquake prone country, and earthquakes can be regarded as cyclical. The Great Tohoku
Earthquake was nevertheless exceptionally intense. Records and traces of previous earthquakes in this
region suggest that an earthquake of this magnitude affects the region every 600 years.
Despite the large scale of the disaster, heritage buildings, especially wooden buildings, suffered
comparatively mild damage. Several buildings registered as cultural properties at the national level were
destroyed by the earthquake or tsunami; however, no buildings nationally designated as Important Cultural
Properties or National Treasures collapsed, although some suffered varying levels of damage. Six areas
designated as Groups of Traditional Buildings were affected by the earthquake, two of them (Makabe and
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Sawara) sustaining extensive damage .
7 The chief conservation architects are H. Okawa and M. Shinonaga. Their papers on Sensho-ji are listed
on the Bibliography.
8 Estimate as of March 2018 by the National Police Agency, Japanese Government.
9 A report on the damage to cultural heritage caused by this earthquake was compiled and published by
7
2.2 Damage Sustained by Sensho-ji Temple

As mentioned above (section 1.1.5), the Main Hall of the temple was in a poor state of conservation before
the event. The earthquake worsened the condition of several issues that were already in progress. Cracks
appeared on the ground in front of the building. Inside the building, cracks appeared in the mud walls, and
the sliding doors were damaged. The general leaning forwards of the structure became aggravated.
The level of damage suffered by other buildings in the temple precinct was also closely related to their
condition before the earthquake. After the Main Hall, the most affected building was the Outer Gate. On the
other hand, the Priest's Quarters, Belfry, Inner Gate, and other structures suffered comparatively minor
damage.
2.3 Damage to the Significance and Values

The described physical damage had a deep effect in the significance-defining attributes of the Main Hall.
Regarding the material, the cracking of the mud walls and damage suffered by sliding doors meant that they
could not be conserved in their damaged state and would need to be replaced. The form and design of the
building were severely affected by the overall leanings and deformations. The leaning of the structure
rendered it unsafe, with the risk of collapse becoming imminent. The building in its post earthquake
condition could thus no longer perform its religious function.
2.4 Emergency Response

In the early stage after the earthquake, the Main Hall was closed to the public as it had become unsafe.
Wooden bracings were installed as a temporary measure in the Main Hall (Fig.9, Fig. 10) and the Outer
Gate (Fig. 11) to prevent further leaning or collapse before a thorough damage assessment survey was
carried out by the ACA.
the Japanese national committee of ICOMOS in 2011 under the title The Great East Japan Earthquake
-Report on the Damage to the Cultural Heritage- (available for download at
http://www.japan-icomos.org/pdf/earthquake_report_20111120.pdf).
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3. Post–event appraisals
3.1 Impact Assessment

After the earthquake, a thorough survey of damage
suffered by cultural heritage in the affected region
was carried out by the ACA.
In the case of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple, the
damage assessment identified significant issues
Fig.9 Wooden bracings installed as emergency affecting the building before the earthquake, including
measure inside the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple
decay of timber members due to rot and insect attack
and leaning of the structural framework. These issues
had been worsened by the earthquake damage. The
conclusion of the assessment was that a major repair
through complete dismantling and reassembly of the
structure was necessary to return the building to a
sound condition.
This kind of repair through dismantling and reassembly
is commonly applied in the case of wooden buildings in
an advanced state of decay, and the possibility of
applying it in the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple was
being considered even before the earthquake.

Fig.10 Wooden bracings installed as emergency
measure inside the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple
3.2 Establishment of a hierarchy of
significance-defining elements and decision on

10
the purposes of the recovery
Three overlapping purposes can be identified in the
recovery programme: first, correcting decay and
damage; second, restoring the building to its most
significant stage; and third, structurally reinforcing the

building.
Fig.11 Wooden bracings installed as emergency 3.2.1 Returning of the building to a sound condition
measure in the Outer Gate of Sensho-ji Temple
The primary objective of the repair was returning the
10 This section of the paper covers items included in " Responses and Recovery Programme" and " Impact
Assessment" under Component 3 in the matrix.
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building to a safe and sound condition. Through the dismantling and reassembly method, overall leanings of
the structure are corrected. Decayed individual timber members or parts of members are substituted by
sound timber. The objective of this kind of repair could be described as returning the building to a condition
of structural strength and stability as close as possible to the time of its construction.
3.2.2 Restoration of the building to its most significant stage
During the repair process, and as a result of the discussions between agents on the cultural significance of
the building and the new information that came to light through the surveys conducted in the dismantling
th
process, it was decided to restore the building to its appearance in the late 17 century, when it was at its
peak as a danrin (Fig. 3 left, Fig. 4 left, Fig. 6). The layout of the building during this period represents best
the original function of the building: at this time, the naijin was a very closed space and the gejin a very open
th
one. These features were lost after the alterations of the late 18 century, when the separation between
naijin and gejin was removed, and the gejin was surrounded by sliding doors. On the other hand, the
original appearance of the building just after its reconstruction in 1671 was considered to be incomplete, as
the ceiling had not been installed and the corridors connecting to the adjacent buildings had not been built
yet (Fig. 5).
Thus, a hierarchy of significance-defining elements was established were the most important factor of the
significance of the building was considered to be the design and layout features that represent its function
as danrin. This hierarchy is heavily based on the official description made at the time of the inscription. In
fact, part of the official description (“an open gejin, a closed naijin, and two lecture rooms on the sides, as
well as the unpretentious, sober design are appropriate to its function as danrin”) is explicitly cited when
explaining the reasons to carry out the restoration (Okawa, 2016).
The decision to restore the building was agreed between the temple, the conservation architect and the
ACA. A permission from the Ministry of Culture, Education and Science is required in order to make any
alterations (including restorations) in the appearance of a building designated as Important Cultural
Property. According to the Japanese system, a complex decision making process has to be followed in
order to ensure that the restoration has a high level of academic accuracy. During the dismantling process,
the conservation architects survey the building examining the traces of lost or changed elements. Through
the interpretation of these traces, the history of the transformations of the building since its original
construction is reconstructed (see 4.4). If they have enough data, the conservation architects would make
drawings of the building at each stage of its history (Fig. 5~8). After consultation with surveyors from the
ACA, the conservation architects would then prepare a proposal to restore the building to its most
significant stage. This proposal must be backed up by the evidence gathered through the surveys. The
proposal and supporting evidence is then examined by the Cultural Council, an advisory body formed by
experts and academics. If the restoration is considered accurate, the Council would give its approval and
finally a “permission to alter the appearance of the building” (in this case, to execute the restoration) will be
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issued by the Ministry of Culture.
The policy of restoring a building to its most significant point in time is not uncommon in the case of major
repairs of buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties in Japan. This tendency reflects a value
system where the significance of these buildings is attached mainly to the architectural features that define
them as belonging to a certain typology, style, region, or period. Later alterations that do not follow these
features are considered to obscure the understanding of the significance of the building and removed or
reversed. This is related to the fact that the number of buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties
is relatively small (around 2,500) and that they are designated mainly as representative architectural
examples from the academic point of view of architectural history.
3.2.3 Structural Reinforcement of the Building
The structural reinforcement of heritage buildings is also common in Japan. The 1996 Kobe Earthquake
was a turning point for this policy. Before, heritage buildings were exempt from meeting building codes and
would normally not be reinforced. However, the Kobe Earthquake caused extensive damage to timber
buildings, and it was considered necessary to ensure the safety of heritage buildings as well. When a major
repair is carried out, a structural analysis is performed, and reinforcements introduced if necessary.
The level of structural strength which the building needs to meet is decided according to its function and
predicted number of occupants. The ACA publishes a Guide for the Anti-seismic Analysis and
Reinforcement of Buildings Designated as Important Cultural Properties, which is applied nationwide for
buildings with this level of designation.
In the case of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji, the
structural analysis concluded that the building
was unsafe and required reinforcement. Adopted
reinforcement measures include introduction of a
reinforced concrete deep foundation, introduction
of a steel frame inside the building, and insertion
of additional timber bracing to improve the
behaviour of the structure against horizontal
loads (Fig. 12). These reinforcements are
introduced in the way that is considered less

Fig.12 Reinforcing steel pillars and wooden braces inside the
Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple intrusive, and as far as possible in parts of the
building that will remain concealed.
3.3 Drivers for the Recovery

Two main stakeholders can be identified as drivers behind the recovery process: the temple and the cultural
heritage administration. The motives behind these two drivers of the recovery are different but
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complementary: the temple is concerned with the recovery of the religious function of the building and its
symbolic value as a landmark, and the ACA aims to recover the building's cultural significance as a heritage
asset.
3.3.1 The Temple
From a very early stage after the earthquake, the temple made clear its resolve to repair the damage
suffered by the buildings and took part actively in the recovery process. The first emergency measures were
taken by initiative of the temple, which has continued to record and publish the efforts towards recovery in a
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blog made available on its website . The priest has also manifested his desire to recover and enhance the
role of Sensho-ji as a city landmark related to the plum trees, contributing to the general social and
economic recovery of the city.
3.3.2 The ACA
The efforts of the cultural heritage administration were coordinated and leaded by the ACA. The ACA
provides technical support and subsidies for the repair works.
1) Technical support: surveyors from the ACA assess the damage to the building and help to decide the
intervention policy. Once the repair works start, they supervise the works and provide technical advice to
the conservation architects (see 4.2.1).
2) Subsidies: the ACA managed and provided subsidies covering 85% of the total cost of the repair
works (see 4.5).
3.4 Challenges for the recovery

The financial burden of the repair works on the temple was a major challenge in the recovery process. As
already mentioned, the lack of parishioners meant that money had to be gathered through ad hoc donations.
The difficulty to bear the cost of the repair works and the maintenance of the building afterwards had an
th
effect on the restoration plan. In the late 17 century, the building was covered with a steep thatched roof.
The original plans included restoring also this roofing material. However, a thatched roof would require
re-thatching roughly every 20 years. Although re-thatching would also be subject to subsidies, a percentage
(usually around 50%) would have to be covered by the temple. In addition, as there is no dedicated priest
permanently residing at the temple, the maintenance of the thatched roof would have been difficult. Given
the current financial and management situation of the temple, it was considered unviable to restore the
thatch roof. Instead, the original shape of the roof, with a steep slope, was restored, but copper plate was
employed as covering material (Fig. 13). Roofing with copper plate is also a traditional technique in Japan,
employed since the early modern period.
11 http://sensyouji.com
12
Fig.13 Copper plate roofing Fig.14 Repair of a decayed

wooden pillar base using a
woodwork joint
4. Actions and Timeframes
4.1 Programme Timeframe

After the earthquake struck on 11 March 2011, a disaster recovery project for the Main Hall and the Outer
Gate was started in December 2011. The actual repair works started in March 2012 and are expected to
finish by December 2018. A report on the repair works will be published by March 2019 (see 5.3).
4.2 Repair techniques and methods

The methodology of repair through dismantling and reassembly is commonly applied to timber buildings in
an advanced state of decay. After carefully numbering and dismantling all the members of the structure,
decayed members or parts of members are substituted by new timber of the same species and grading.
The building is then reassembled correcting all leanings and deformations.
One of the basic principles of the Japanese approach to the repair of heritage buildings is that traditional
materials and techniques, as close as possible to those employed originally in the building, should be used
when repairing or replacing damaged elements. This applies to carpentry repairs, but also to other
materials and techniques, such as those employed for the plastered mud walls.
Regarding carpentry repairs, traditional woodwork joints are used as the main repair method. Decayed
parts of timber members are removed and substituted by sound new timber of the same species and
grading; woodwork joints are then employed to join the original and the replaced parts (Fig. 14). Carpenters
employ modern electric tools, but also traditional ones. When an original member is substituted, the
finishing of the original member is reproduced in the new one using traditional tools (see 1.1.2).
On the other hand, regarding the structural reinforcement of the structure (see 3.2.3), modern materials and
techniques are employed, such as a reinforced concrete foundation and a steel framework.
4.3 Agents
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Apart from the drivers of the recovery, which initiated the recovery process and continued having a key role
during its implementation (see section 3.3), we can identify the conservation architects and the
craftspersons involved in the works as the agents who actually designed and implemented the recovery
project.
4.3.1 Conservation Architects
The design and implementation of the project is being carried out by conservation architects from the
Japanese Association for Conservation of Monuments (JACAM). Architects working in the repair of
buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties need to be authorized by the government. There are
several levels of authorization, which are obtained after graduating from specific courses. JACAM is the
organization in charge of organizing such courses, and at the same time the largest association of
conservation architects in Japan. The regions of Kyoto, Nara, Shiga and Wakayama have their own
dedicated conservation architects; for the rest of Japan, architects from JACAM are dispatched to take
charge of repair works. This system ensures that conservation architects have a high level of specialization
and share a similar training background. As a result, the repair methodology described above is applied
consistently by most conservation architects all over Japan.
Most large repair sites, including the Main Hall of Sensho-ji temple, are managed by a team formed by a
chief conservation architect and an assistant conservation architect who work in a temporary office built in
situ for all the duration of the works. This allows them to work closely together with the carpenters and other
craftspersons, and to carry out detailed surveys of the building during the whole dismantlement and
reassembly process.
4.3.2 Craftspersons
Craftpersons including carpenters and plasterers also have to attend training courses sponsored by the
ACA to master the traditional techniques required for conservation work (see 1.1.2, 4.4).
Craftspersons with specialized knowledge of traditional techniques could not be found locally; they came
from different parts of Japan to take part in the recovery works.
Roofing with copper plate requires also a high level of technical skill, as the copper plates had to be laid
adapting to the complex curved shape of the roof. Specialized craftspersons were in charge of the
execution.
4.4 Basis for the Restoration

As described above (3.2.2), during the recovery process the building was restored to its most significant
stage. According to the Japanese policy regarding the restoration of buildings designated as Important
Cultural Properties, the restoration is only carried out if there is enough information to ensure it will be
faithful. Gathering this information through surveys of the building, interpreting it and drafting a proposal for
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the restoration is one of the main tasks of the
conservation architects.
In the case of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple,
the restoration implied changing the shape of
the roof, and the typology and layout of the
interior partition screens.
4.4.1 Restoration of the roof
Surveys on the wooden members of the roof

Fig.15 Examples of evidence for the restoration of the roof
during the dismantling revealed that the struts
supporting the original ridgepole had been cut,
and a later ridgepole nailed sideways at a lower
height (Fig. 15). In addition, mortises where the
original rafters were inserted still remained on
several roof beams. From these mortises, it was
possible to deduce the original position and
slope of the rafters.
The analysis of these traces allowed making an
accurate reconstruction of the original height,
shape and slope of the roof: a hipped roof with
an almost 45 degree slope (Fig. 4, left). Traces
and documental evidence confirmed that thatch
was the original roofing material. The roof was
thus restored from a hipped-and-gabled roof to
a higher and steeper hipped roof. The roofing
material was changed from iron plates shaped
as tiles to copper plates. Details such as the
typology and decorative motifs of the ridge were
designed using similar contemporary buildings
and documentary evidence as a basis.
4.4.2 Restoration of the interior partition
screens
Mortise holes on the pillars between the
Fig.16 Examples of evidence for the restoration of the interior worship area and the inner part provided
partitions
information on the position and typology of the
15
former partition screens (Fig. 16). Details were designed using similar contemporary buildings as a basis.
In addition to these changes to the roof and partition screens, the shape of the entrance porch, the altars
and other details were also restored.
It can be concluded that the restoration has a high level of accuracy and is mostly objective and based on
material evidence present in the building (although details and decorative motifs include a certain level of
conjecture based on contemporary similar buildings). This level of accuracy is possible thanks to the
advanced survey techniques applied by the conservation architects, whose training and specialization
allows them to identify and interpret the traces in the building.
4.5 Resources and Costs

The total cost of the repair works is estimated in 108,000,000 yen (1,016,000 USD). This cost was divided
between the national, prefectural, and municipal administration, and the temple.
The national administration funded the repair works through two kinds of subsidies provided by the ACA:
disaster recovery subsidies and conservation and repair subsidies. The former type was allocated
specifically for the recovery of cultural properties after the earthquake. However, disaster recovery
subsidies cover only the cost of returning the building to its state before the earthquake, and the structural
analysis and reinforcement. Thus, in order to carry out the restoration, it was necessary to use conservation
and repair subsidies, which are regularly used to fund repair works of buildings nationally designated as
Important Cultural Properties.
This means that although the three objectives of the recovery mentioned in 3.2 were carried out at the same
time as part of a single process, funding for objectives 3.2.1 (returning the building to a sound condition)
and 3.2.3 (structural reinforcement) was separated from funding for objective 3.2.2 (restoration).
Both in the case of disaster recovery subsidies and conservation and repair subsidies, the national
administration covered 85% of the total cost of the works. The prefectural and municipal administrations
covered around 10%, and the temple around 5%.
5. Outcomes and Effects of the Recovery Process

The final outcomes and effects of the recovery process cannot be assessed at the time of writing (March
2018) as the recovery works are expected to finish by December 2018. Therefore, this paper will provide an
account of the outcomes and effects achieved until now, as well as the expected future results.
5.1 Assessment of the Outcomes with Regard to the Recovery of the Heritage Resource
The recovery process can be said to be effective in replenishing the significance-defining attributes. The
building will return to a safe condition, recovering its religious function. Deformations and leanings that
obscured the design will be corrected. The restoration can also be said to improve the readability of the
16
original design features. Although a proportion
of the material damaged before or during the
earthquake was irreversibly lost, it was replaced
with similar material worked with similar
traditional techniques (Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19).
Out of the three objectives set by the recovery
programme (see 3.2), the recovery of the sound
condition of the building and the structural
reinforcement could be achieved as intended.

Fig.17 The Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple after repair, in May
On the other hand, the restoration had to reach
2018 (outside, from southeast)
a compromise between the ideal outcome (a
perfect recreation of the building as it stood in
the late 17th century) and the reality (limited
human and economic resources for upkeep
and management). As a result, the ideal
thatched roof had to be substituted by a copper
plate roof.
It will be important to assess in the future if the
recovery process could successfully address
the issues that affected Sensho-ji Temple also
before the earthquake. As previously stated

2018 (inside, from east) (see 1.1.5), maintenance issues were one of
the main causes of the poor condition and
vulnerability of the building. The material
recovery of the temple buildings will need to be
completed with adequate policies and
management measures to correct these
deficiencies.
It also remains to be seen if the recovery of
Sensho-ji Temple will have a positive effect in
the overall economic and social recovery of the
region, as the temple expected (see 3.3.1). The
integration of the recovered Sensho-ji Temple in
the overall cultural policy of Iwaki City will be a

2018 (inside, from southeast) key factor in this question.
17
12
5.2 Emerging Values and Sustainability
As described above (see 4.2, 4.3) the repair works were carried out giving priority to traditional techniques
and materials as the main repair method. In this sense, the repair works site was at the same time a
capacity building site for craftspersons.
Traditional carpentry, plastering, and roofing techniques are nowadays rarely applied outside the context of
conservation work. However, such techniques can be regarded as an intangible side of built heritage. As
such, it also needs to be protected; conservation of techniques and conservation of buildings are mutually
dependent.
The recovery process of Sensho-ji Temple can be considered to have contributed as well to the
conservation and handing down of the traditional techniques associated with its construction and repair.
Handing down these techniques to the next generation is necessary to make this repair methodology
sustainable.
5.3 Documentation of the Recovery Programme

Following the standard practice for the repair of buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties in
Japan, the repair process was documented in detail by the conservation architects. A description of the
repair works, together with photographs of the process, drawings, and as summary of the results of the
surveys, will be published as a report at the end of the repair project by March 2019. Such reports are
elaborated following a standardized format, defining their overall contents and structure. Regularly, around
300 copies of the report are printed and distributed among stakeholders, public libraries, related institutions
and universities. The budget for the elaboration and publication of such reports is included in the general
budget of the repair works, and subject to the same subsidies. These reports started to be published in the
1930s and today number over 2000.
6. Additional Comments
The recovery of the Main Hall of Sensho-ji Temple was executed according to a very high technical
standard. This allowed reusing a very large proportion of the original material in its original position.
Complex carpentry techniques were applied to repair the original timber members, and their careful
numbering and storing during the dismantlement ensured that their position was kept after the reassembly.
By the amount of effort and resources dedicated, it is evident that the involved experts considered
respecting this principle necessary in order to keep the cultural significance of the building.
In addition, there were several favourable circumstances that allowed this kind of recovery to take place,
including an efficient administrative framework, the participation of qualified specialists, and the availability
of traditional materials and technical knowledge. It can be argued that if any of these conditions had not
12
This section of the paper cover items in " Values and Sustainability" under component 3 in the matrix, as well as items
under " Assessment of the Outcomes with regard to the Recovery of the Heritage Resource" under component 5.
18
been met, the quality of the recovery process would have suffered significantly, and the loss of cultural
significance would have been more important.
7. Details of the Expert Completing this Case Study

Alejandro Martinez de Arbulo is an architect, working as a research fellow at the Tokyo National Research
Institute for Cultural Properties, Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation. Trained in
Spain, his PhD dissertation was a comparative study on the approach to the conservation of wooden built
heritage in Japan and Spain. The author was not involved in the recovery process described above. The
analysis in this paper was made on the basis of the cited bibliographical material, interviews with the
conservation architects in charge of the recovery process, and a survey of the site of the recovery works in
August 2018.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to express his gratitude to the priest of Sensho-ji, Mr Hiromichi Endo for his
cooperation in the publication of this paper, as well as to the conservation architects, Mr Masayuki
Shinonaga and Mr. Shun Imazeki from JACAM for providing their knowledge and kindly explaining the
repair work site.
The on-site survey was funded by Kyushu University (project leader Prof. Toshiyuki Kono) and carried out
with the cooperation of Prof. Tomoko Mori (The University of Tokyo).
Sources of Figures
Fig. 1: Okawa, 2015a (modified by the author)
Fig. 2, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11: http://sensyouji.com
Fig. 3, Fig. 4: Okawa, 2015b
Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8: Okawa, 2015a
Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14: taken by author
Fig. 15: Okawa, 2015a (modified by the author)
Fig. 16: Okawa, 2015b (modified by the author)
Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19: S. Imazeki (JACAM)
Bibliography
1. Sato, T. (ed.), 1995, Jodo-shu Nagoe-ha Danrin Sensho-ji Shi
2. Fukushima Prefecture Board of Education (ed.), 2003, Sensho-ji no Kenchiku (Fukushima-ken
Kinsei Shaji Kenchiku Kinkyu Chosa Hokokusho - Hoi)
3. Okawa, H., 2015a, “Fukushima-ken Juyo Bunkazai Sensho-ji Hondo Oyobi Somon – Hondo no
Genjo Henko – Sono Ichi”, JACAM Report, 119, 20-27
19
4. Okawa, H., 2015b, “Fukushima-ken Juyo Bunkazai Sensho-ji Hondo Oyobi Somon – Hondo no
Genjo Henko – Sono Ichi”, JACAM Report, 122, 20-28
5. Okawa, H., 2016, “Juyo Bunkazai Sensho-ji Hondo no Fukugenan no Kento Katei”, Bunkazai
Kenzoubutsu Kenkyu – Hozon to Shuri, 1, 45-52
6. Shinonaga, M., 2017, “Juyo Bunkazai Sensho-ji Hondo ni Tsuite”, Journal of the Japanese Society
of Architectural Historians, 68, 98-108
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Martínez de Arbulo, Alejandro (2018) "ICOMOS Global Case Study Project on Recovery and Reconstruction: Sensho-ji

Temple Main Hall" (published on:

ICOMOS Global Case Study Project on Recovery and

Alejandro Martínez de Arbulo

1. Sensho-ji Temple and its Context before the Earthquake

1.1.1 Location and Setting

the front, with the Belfry outside north of the steps.

sections 1.1 and 1.2 of the matrix.

1.1.2 Materials and Techniques

had a thatched roof.

Different species of wood are employed, including pine and

cedar. In repair works, when substituting a decayed timber

member becomes necessary, timber of the same species and

grading is employed. This kind of timber is still available,

although it has become increasingly difficult to obtain wood for

the repair of timber buildings inside Japan (especially in the

case of large members), and sometimes wood has to be

through these courses.

1.1.3 Form and Design

are employed around the naijin

and between the inner part and

building chamfered square pillars

In Japanese temple architecture,

the character and rank of the

supporting the eaves. In this

building, bracket complexes are

relatively simple. Together with

the use of square posts, this

confers the building a serene

appearance, close in character

1.1.4 Changes in Function and

Sensho-ji was founded in 1395

as Buddhist temple belonging to

the Nagoe sect of the Jodo

School of Buddhism, one of the

most important Buddhist sects

during the early modern period in

Japan. Sensho-ji became

important as one of the four

centres for the education of new

A fire in 1668 destroyed most of the temple, but it

was reconstructed thanks to the support of the

branch temples and the local feudal lord. The

temple documents show that during its peak, in the

existed apart from those standing today (Fig. 1, left),

including residences for the monks. At that time,

depending from Sensho-ji.

The present Main Hall was reconstructed after the

fire in 1671. At the time of the reconstruction, the

building had a hipped roof covered with thatch; the

floor of the side rooms was not elevated; and the

rooms through sliding doors (Fig. 5). Inside the

floor in the front veranda. This layout is consistent

gejin is designed to accommodate a large number

of student monks; while the closed naijin was a

space for the private transmission of oral traditions.

The side rooms were also employed as lecture

Surveys carried out during the repair works after

detailed history of transformations and alterations

of the building (Fig. 6~8). The main ones are:

• In 1682, the floor of the naijin and the

well as the elements separating the inner part from

side rooms and the gejin was installed (Fig. 6).