Konjikidō (Golden Hall) illuminated more beautifully with LED lighting system and lighting design donated to Chūson-ji temple, a World Heritage

As part of the support for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, we donated LED lighting facility and photovoltaic systems to Chūson-ji temple, which is the core component of Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture registered as World Cultural Heritage, in order to make Iwate Prefecture a more attractive tourist destination.

An LED illuminated space was realized to effectively present the artistry and spirituality of Konjikidō, Buddhist statues and Shōgon (Note 1) in Shin-Ōidō Hall of Chūson-ji. In addition, 5kW-class photovoltaic systems utilizing natural energy was installed, as we agreed with Hiraizumi’s philosophy of coexisting with nature. We hope this contributes to attracting more tourists to not only Chūson-ji temple but also Iwate Prefecture and Tohoku region.

Note 1: Beautiful and solemn decoration of the Buddhist Pure Land, Buddha (Buddhist statues) and Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)

LED lighting system

Toshiba mobilized all of its lighting technology in order to preserve and inherit the valuable cultural heritage. Power consumption is approximately 41% lower than before the LED lighting was introduced. Power saving was not the only benefit; the all-gilt appearance of Konjikidō as “an architecture expressing the Buddhist Pure Land”, gold-covered woodwork decorated with raden and gold lacquer, the overwhelming impact of Amida Sanzon Statue, Jizō Bosatsu, Niten statue enshrined in shumidan altar in the inner temple, ways of creating the beauty and the shade of colors that do not undermine the artistry of the ornaments, and the appearance of the light source itself were verified, in order to realize sufficient brightness, optimal color temperature that matches the space, and color rendering properties that resemble natural light.

Lighting Design of Konjikidō

The purpose of the lighting renovation this time was to remember the days when Konjikidō of Chūson-ji temple was built, and maintain and inherit the thoughts that embodied the land of Perfect Bliss in the form of Amida hall in Konjikidō. The land of Perfect Bliss is where Kiyohira Fujiwara saw eternity in pure gold and felt attached to it. The solemnity using the Japanese lacquer works (urushi art) technique including gilt, ivory, raden, and gold lacquer is expressed as an inherent grandeur of Konjikidō to the greatest extent possible, rather than a superficial rendering, thereby bringing out the essential power behind the beauty.

When Konjikidō was erected, it glowed in sunlight, and as seen in traditional Japanese architecture, it is assumed that the lighting environment was set up where the sunlight reflects on the porch and enters inside, reflects further inside, and guides the light deep inside Konjikidō. We can still long for such a landscape, and easily imagine the hall shining in the moonlight at night. Horizontal light from candles and torchlights illuminating the Shōgon and Buddhist statues must have touched people’s hearts. This is the sensation we want to inherit into the future.

Related information

World Heritage Chūson-ji Temple（Link to Chūson-ji website.）