A Great Gabled Kitchen-Residence of 1654
The Joshoji Temple Kuri (Priests' Quarters) (定勝寺庫裏) is the priests' quarters of a Zen temple of 1654 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 21.9 by 14.0 metres, single-storey, gabled, with a pent roof on the south, entered from the gable end and roofed in copper, designated together with a connecting corridor; designation number 01159.
A Large Kuri of 1654
The Joshoji kuri is a single-storey building 21.9 by 14.0 metres under a gabled copper roof, entered from the gable end, with a pent roof along the south side (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It dates from 1654 and is designated together with a connecting corridor.
A kuri combines a temple's kitchen with the priests' living quarters, and Zen temples often give it a large gable turned to the front. Joshoji is said to have been founded by the Kiso family in the Kakei era (1387 to 1389) and was moved to its present site in 1598 (Okuwa Village).
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 kuri dated to 1654, designated an Important Cultural Property in 1952 together with the main hall and gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the large gable turned to the front and the pent roof along the south side (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
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 kuri built?
- In 1654 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is a kuri?
- A building that combines a temple's kitchen with the priests' living quarters.
- What else is designated with it?
- A connecting corridor.
- Can I visit now?
- It is closed for renovation until around autumn 2027 (Okuwa Village).
- When was the Joshoji Temple Kuri (Priests' Quarters) designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On March 29, 1952 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Joshoji Temple Kuri (Priests' Quarters) (定勝寺庫裏) |
|---|---|
| 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 corridor) |
| Dimensions | 21.9 m × 14.0 m, single-storey, gabled, pent roof on south, gable entrance, copper roof |
| 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 Kuri (Priests' Quarters) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1008
- Temples and shrines (Okuwa Village)
- https://www.vill.okuwa.lg.jp/kanko/miru-asobu/jinja-otera/temple.html
Last verified: 2026.10.22
