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The unique building now used as the Hondo, or main worship hall, was originally built by the Manchurian Railroad Company and used as part of their exhibit hall at the Chicago Industrial World's Fair in 1933. After the close of the Fair the building was donated to the Buddhist Mission of North America and through the efforts of Bishop Masuyama, was subsequently offered to the members of the Sonoma County Buddhist Temple. The members were able to receive the building provided they could finance the cost of transporting the dismantled building to Sebastopol, California. A committee headed by Mr. Tomotaro Kobuke was selected to undertake the endeavor. On January 26, 1934, groundbreaking ceremonies were held to reassemble and reconstruct the building on its present site. Constructed without the use of nails, the project required the skills of several local Japanese craftsmen. Finally, on October 15, 1934, dedication services were held for the finished building. The style of the building is important in that it faithfully reproduces a 12th century Kamakura-style Japanese Buddhist Temple. The roof structure, in particular, is representative of Buddhist Temples from that era. The interior decor and bright colorful Chinese motif paintings were remodeled to adapt to the Buddhist shrine which is presently situated at one end of the building. The entire building seats approximately 150 people. |