Shiroshoin
The Shiroshoin sits at the heart of the Ninnaji temple complex. It serves as a ceremonial space used in addition to, or instead of the Shinden. It has six rooms, three of which open to the east and three to the west. The east- and west-facing walls are shaded by deep eaves, which help to keep the building cool in the summer. The architectural features resemble that of the Shinden.
The broad eaves of the hip-and-gable roof extend far out over the open raised aisles, or hisashi, that run around the core of the building, creating a sense of continuous space between exterior and interior. The building’s other architectural features continue this blending of exterior and interior space. For example, the horizontal beams that support the eaves extend through the framework of the building’s core, making it seem as if the eaves sweep outward from the heart of the building to frame the surrounding scenery.