A Rare Two-Roofed Gate of 1456
The Kinpusenji Temple Niomon Gate (金峯山寺二王門) is a leading surviving example of a two-storey gate with a lower roof of 1456 in Yoshinoyama, Yoshino Town, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure on November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay, single-passage two-storey gate with a hip-and-gable roof of full tiles, designated together with a wind bell; designation number 00157.
The Agency record also gives an earlier designation date of April 14, 1906, the date of its designation under the former law.
The Wind Bell Inscription and the Guardian Kings
Kinpusenji is said to have been founded by En no Ozunu, and is divided into two precincts, one on the mountain top and one below (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A wind bell kept at the temple bears an inscription naming the Niodo of Kinpusen and dated the ninth month of 1456, recording the building of the gate; the bell is designated with it.
The guardian king statues of the gate are known from inscriptions inside them to have been made in 1357 and painted in 1456 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is a National Treasure
The Agency values the gate highly as a leading surviving example of a two-roofed gate.
An Orthodox Two-Roofed Gate
It is a large three-bay, single-passage gate with two full roofs; its overall form is somewhat heavy, but both storeys have three-step brackets in the orthodox manner (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The central bay of the lower storey is decorated with frog-leg struts combined with double blocks, and frog-leg struts also stand on the tie beams inside; these details are finely worked.
In the medieval period the romon type, whose upper veranda rests on the brackets of the lower storey, became usual, and few gates with a lower roof of their own survive (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the three-step brackets on both storeys and the frog-leg struts with double blocks in the lower central bay (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kinpusenji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or fees was found. The main hall, Niomon Gate and copper torii are introduced together on the Kinpusenji Temple page. A temple leaflet of 2021 refers to fund-raising for a full dismantling repair of the gate (Kinpusenji).
Q&A
- When was the gate built?
- In 1456, according to the inscription on a wind bell.
- When were the guardian kings made?
- In 1357, and painted in 1456.
- Why is it valued?
- It is a leading example of the rare two-roofed gate.
- What else is designated with it?
- A wind bell.
- When was the Kinpusenji Temple Niomon Gate designated a National Treasure?
- On November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kinpusenji Temple Niomon Gate (金峯山寺二王門) |
|---|---|
| Location | Yoshinoyama, Yoshino Town, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1953/11/14 (Showa 28) |
| Quantity | 1 building (with 1 wind bell) |
| Dimensions | Three-bay, single-passage two-roofed gate, hip-and-gable, full tiles |
| Owner | Kinpusenji Temple |
| Public Access | Official visiting hours and fees not confirmed |
References
- Kinpusenji Temple Niomon Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2798
- Kinpusenji lecture series leaflet (Kinpusenji, Japanese)
- https://www.kinpusen.or.jp/info/data/445073fb7e280153b739b18013dc2decf4773fbd.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.23
