A Carved Gate on Sanjo-dori in Nara
The Jokyoji Temple Gate (浄教寺山門) is a temple gate (yakuimon) of the late Edo period in Kamisanjocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on November 10, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber gate with a tiled roof, 2.6 metres wide, with wing walls on both sides; registration number 29-0089.
A Yakuimon Gate on Sanjo-dori
The gate of Jokyoji faces south onto Sanjo-dori: a one-bay yakuimon gate with a single passage (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It has a gabled roof of hongawara tiles with double close rafters, and round main posts set on stone sills.
Carvings of animals, plants, whorls and clouds decorate the frog-leg struts, the bracket ends and the panels of the paneled doors (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape, a well-proportioned gate that helps form the historic scene of Sanjo-dori.
What to Look For
Look for the carvings of animals, plants, whorls and clouds on the struts, bracket ends and doors (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It faces Sanjo-dori and can be seen from the street. No official information on visiting the temple was found.
Q&A
- When was the gate built?
- In the late Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What form is it?
- A one-bay yakuimon gate with a tiled gabled roof.
- What carvings does it have?
- Animals, plants, whorls and clouds.
- Where is it?
- Facing Sanjo-dori in Nara.
- When was the Jokyoji Temple Gate registered?
- On November 10, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Jokyoji Temple Gate (浄教寺山門) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kamisanjocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/11/10 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 2.6 m wide, wing walls both sides |
| Owner | Jokyoji Temple (Religious Corporation) |
| Public Access | Visible from Sanjo-dori |
References
- Jokyoji Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00005022
Last verified: 2026.10.18
