Asset ledger - Shizaichou

A list of assets of ancient Japanese temples. Many of them take the form of an engi-nara-sozai-cho (register of assets) and include the temple engi (history of temples). They contain detailed records of Buddhist statues, scriptures, buildings, Buddhist implements, temple lands, etc., and are basic historical materials for the history of temple economics, Buddhism, and art history. Under the Ritsuryo system, temples were allowed a certain degree of autonomy, but temple assets were controlled by the government through the asset register. There are various document formats, such as letters addressed to the priests of temple families and record books. There are around 20 copies and originals that remain, from the "Garan Engi-nara-sozai-cho" (abridged copy) of Gangoji, Daianji, and Horyu-ji in 747 (Tenpyo 19), to the "Kanzeon-ji Asset Register" around 1094 (Kaho 1). Other notable works include the "Horyu-ji Temple Eastern Precinct Asset Register" (763), the "Koryu-ji Temple History Asset Register" (873), the "Kanzeon-ji Temple Asset Register" (905), and the "Shitenno-ji Temple History Register" (around 1007).

[Eiichi Ishigami]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本古代の寺院の財産目録。寺院縁起(えんぎ)をあわせて縁起并(ならびに)資財帳の形式をとるものも多い。仏像、経典、堂舎、仏具、寺領などが詳細に記され、寺院経済史、仏教史、美術史などの基本史料。律令制(りつりょうせい)下では寺院の一定程度の自治が認められていたが、寺院財産は資財帳により政府に掌握されていた。寺家の僧綱(そうごう)あての牒(ちょう)、実録帳など多様な文書形式がある。写本・原本が現存するものは747年（天平19）の元興寺(がんごうじ)（抄本）、大安寺、法隆寺の『伽藍(がらん)縁起并流記(るき)資財帳』から、1094年（嘉保1）ごろの『観世音寺(かんぜおんじ)資財帳』まで20通前後がある。ほかに『法隆寺東院資財帳』（763）、『広隆寺縁起資財帳』（873）、『観世音寺資財帳』（905）、『四天王寺縁起』（1007ころ）が著名である。

［石上英一］

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