A Cypress-Bark Gate of 1661
The Joshoji Temple Gate (定勝寺山門) is a four-legged gate of 1661 in Suhara, Okuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a four-legged gate with a gabled roof of cypress bark, designated together with a ridge tablet; designation number 01160.
A Four-Legged Gate under Cypress Bark
The Joshoji gate is a four-legged gate under a gabled roof of cypress bark, dated 1661 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is designated together with a ridge tablet.
In a four-legged gate, two subsidiary posts stand before and behind each of the main posts, four in all. Beyond the gate stand the early Edo main hall and kuri (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is an early Edo four-legged gate dated to 1661, designated an Important Cultural Property in 1952 together with the main hall and kuri (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look at the gabled roof of cypress bark and the arrangement of main and subsidiary posts.
Visiting
According to Okuwa Village, Joshoji is closed for renovation until around autumn 2027. It is a 10-minute walk from Suhara Station on the JR Chuo Main Line; enquiries go to the temple. The main hall, kuri and gate are introduced together on the Joshoji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the Joshoji gate built?
- In 1661 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of gate is it?
- A four-legged gate under a gabled roof of cypress bark.
- What else is designated with it?
- A ridge tablet.
- How do I get there?
- A 10-minute walk from Suhara Station on the JR Chuo Main Line (Okuwa Village).
- When was the Joshoji Temple Gate designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Joshoji Temple Gate (定勝寺山門) |
|---|---|
| Location | Suhara, Okuwa Village, Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1952/03/29 (Showa 27) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 ridge tablet) |
| Dimensions | Four-legged gate, gabled roof of cypress bark |
| Owner | Joshoji Temple |
| Public Access | 10 minutes on foot from Suhara Station, JR Chuo Main Line (Okuwa Village); closed for renovation until around autumn 2027 |
References
- Joshoji Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1009
- Temples and shrines (Okuwa Village)
- https://www.vill.okuwa.lg.jp/kanko/miru-asobu/jinja-otera/temple.html
Last verified: 2026.10.22
