Also written 塔中. A simple building containing a pagoda that enshrined the ashes of a founder or head priest of a Zen 禅 temple. Gradually, it developed into a subsidiary temple for retired priests but was under the jurisdiction of the main temple. When the head of the subsidiary temple died, his subordinate disciple continued to reside there. Eventually, it not only provided a retreat for top-ranking priests, but it became a family temple for daimyō 大名 and wealthy merchants who gave tangible support to the temple. Although some tatchū existed in the Kamakura period, they were few. But their number increased until the 15th century, when many disciples who wanted independence from the main temple were required to request permission from the Ashikaga bakufu 足利幕府.
Other buildings were added to the tatchū grounds. These included: the *shōdō 正堂, also called *kaisandō 開山堂, the focal point in the tatchū of Zen temples which was also used to hold memorial ceremonies; the *rantō 卵塔, a rotund, or oval-shaped stone pagoda placed on a square or octagonal base, served to memorialize the deceased founder, constructed behind the shōdō; the *hōjō 方丈, living quarters for the head priest, and sometimes for guests; the *kyakuden 客殿, a guest house; the *sōdō 僧堂, a hall for meditation, also called *zendō 禅堂; the *jikidō 食堂, a dining hall, and the kitchen *kuri 庫裡. The kitchen and dining were combined or in close proximity under the same roof. Some tatchū also have a study *shoin 書院, a store-house sōko 倉庫, and a gate *mon 門.
Examples: Engakuji Shariden 円覚寺舎利殿, 3 × 3 bays, mokoshi 裳階 Kamakura period; Kenchōji Shōdō 建長寺昭堂 (1629), both in Kanagawa Prefecture; and Daitokuji's subsidiary temple, Daitokuji Shinjuan Kuri 大徳寺真珠庵庫裡 (1610), in Kyoto.