About the Daishoji Front Gate
The Daishoji Front Gate (大聖寺表門) is the gate of the late Edo period, moved here in 1922, at Daishoji, an imperial Zen convent in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 26, 2011.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a single-storey timber gate with a tiled roof, 3.5 metres wide; registration number 26-0356, owned by the religious corporation Daishoji. Nine of the convent's buildings and walls were registered on the same day (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Daishoji Front Gate was registered as a structure that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes an imposing presence befitting the leading imperial convent.
What to Look For
The Daishoji Front Gate stands at the south-east corner of the grounds: a large single-opening yakuimon gate 3.5 metres wide, gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) with hongawara tiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Three main beams cross it, carried on secondary beams set into the main posts by way of bearing blocks; frog-leg struts fill the gables and a bottle-shaped strut the centre, under single-tier rafters (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The gate on Karasuma-dori conveys the standing of the convent.
Visiting the Daishoji Front Gate
According to the Japan Tourism Agency commentary, Daishoji remains an active convent and is closed to the public except for occasional special exhibitions. The front gate and earthen walls can be seen from Karasuma-dori and the lane to the south. The address is 109-1 Goshohachiman-cho, Karasuma-dori Kamidachiuri-sagaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto.
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Q&A
- When was the Daishoji Front Gate built?
- In the late Edo period; it was moved here in 1922 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type of gate is the Daishoji Front Gate?
- A yakuimon gate 3.5 metres wide with a gabled hongawara roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the Daishoji Front Gate described?
- As imposing enough for the leading imperial convent (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Daishoji Front Gate registered?
- On January 26, 2011.
- Can you visit the Daishoji Front Gate?
- Daishoji is normally closed, opening only for special exhibitions (Japan Tourism Agency); the gate and walls can be seen from the street.
Basic Information
| Name | Daishoji Front Gate (大聖寺表門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 109-1 Goshohachiman-cho, Karasuma-dori Kamidachiuri-sagaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2011/1/26 (Heisei 23) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | A single-storey timber gate with a tiled roof, 3.5 metres wide |
| Owner | Daishoji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Normally closed (open for special exhibitions) |
References
- Daishoji Front Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008504
- Daishoji Temple (Japan Tourism Agency)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/en/R2-01451.html
Last verified: 2026.10.07
