A Cobblestone Windbreak Around a Temple
The Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall (正覚寺石垣, Shōgaku-ji ishigaki) is a wall of rounded stones built in 1930 along the south edge of the grounds of Shogakuji at Otsu, Nahari Town, Aki District, Kochi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 31, 2003 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a stone structure 31 metres long, registration number 39-0074, owned by Shogakuji.
An Ishiguro Against the Sea Wind
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall is what is called an ishiguro: a wall built to break the strong winds that blow in from the sea, above all during typhoons. It doubles as the temple's outer wall, with a gate opening a little east of centre.
It is built of fairly large rounded stones of 20 to 30 centimetres, stacked 1.5 metres high and 1 metre thick. Rather than cut blocks, it relies on thick courses of rounded stones to shelter the grounds from the south.
Why It Was Registered
The wall was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits it with creating a temple setting of the early Showa era for which there are few parallels.
The Shogakuji Temple Main Hall in the same grounds was registered the same day; both were built in 1930.
What to Look For
Look at the stones and how they are laid. Cobbles roughly the size of a human head make up a wall 1 metre thick, and standing by the gate you can see the full depth of it in section.
Walk the 31 metres from one end of the south side to the other and you will also notice that the gate sits slightly east of the middle.
Visiting
As the temple's outer wall, the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall can be seen from outside. The grounds are visited by pilgrims as Temple No. 9 of the Shikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, so please keep clear of the temple's activities. No guidance on photography has been published.
The temple's history, location and visiting notes are on the group page Shogakuji Temple (Nahari).
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Kochi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall
- [ Katsurahama Beach & Kochi Castle Ryoma Tour ]
Q&A
- When was the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall built?
- In 1930 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is an ishiguro?
- A wall that shelters buildings from strong sea winds, especially in typhoons. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall as one.
- How big is the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall?
- It is 31 metres long, 1.5 metres high and 1 metre thick, built of rounded stones of 20 to 30 centimetres (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where can I see the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall?
- It forms the outer wall along the south side of the temple grounds and can be seen from outside.
- When was the Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall registered?
- On January 31, 2003, the same day as the Shogakuji Temple Main Hall.
Basic Information
| Name | Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall (正覚寺石垣) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1718-1 Otsu, Nahari Town, Aki District, Kochi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2003/01/31 (Heisei 15) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone, 31 metres long (1.5 metres high, 1 metre thick) |
| Owner | Shogakuji |
| Public Access | Outer wall of the temple (visible from outside) |
References
- Shogakuji Temple Stone Wall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003170
- No. 9 Kojusan Shogakuji (Shikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage)
- https://www.33kannon.net/shogakuji
Last verified: 2026.10.14
