The Guardian Shrine of Kozoji
The Kozoji Temple Chinjudo (庫蔵寺鎮守堂) is a one-bay guardian shrine in the nagare style of 1605 in Kochicho, Toba City, Mie Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on June 28, 1956 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a one-bay nagare-style shrine roofed in wood shingles, with 5 ridge tags designated alongside it; designation number 01378.
The Guardian Shrine
The Kozoji Temple Chinjudo is a one-bay nagare-style guardian shrine roofed in wood shingles in the precincts of Kozoji; the Agency dates it to 1605, and 5 ridge tags are designated with it.
According to the Japan Tourism Agency, it was built by Kuki Moritaka, son of Kuki Yoshitaka, lord of Toba Castle, and enshrines Kishimojin, the deity of childbirth and child-rearing.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency lists this one-bay nagare-style shrine of 1605, with its 5 ridge tags, as an Important Cultural Property. Its record has no commentary; the structure, date and ridge tags set out what was designated.
What to Look For
Look for the flowing shingled roof of the nagare style (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kozoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the temple can be reached only on foot, through forest from the foot of the mountain and up a steep stone stair. Both halls are covered on the Kozoji Temple group page.
Q&A
- When was the Chinjudo built?
- The Agency dates it to 1605.
- What style is it?
- A one-bay nagare-style shrine roofed in wood shingles.
- Who is enshrined there?
- Kishimojin, the deity of childbirth and child-rearing (Japan Tourism Agency).
- What else is designated with it?
- Five ridge tags.
- When was the Kozoji Temple Chinjudo designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On June 28, 1956 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kozoji Temple Chinjudo (庫蔵寺鎮守堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kochicho, Toba City, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1956/06/28 (Showa 31) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | One-bay nagare style, shingled roof |
| Owner | Kozoji Temple |
| Public Access | On foot only (Japan Tourism Agency) |
References
- Kozoji Temple Chinjudo (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1307
- Gankozan Kozoji Temple (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual explanation database)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R2-00766.html
Last verified: 2026.10.19
