A Richly Carved Gate of 1829
The Kosenji Temple Gate (弘泉寺山門) is a gate built by island carpenters of the Inland Sea of 1829 in Shimotsui Tanoura, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber gate with a tiled roof, 2.7 metres wide; registration number 33-295.
A Carved Gate
The Kosenji Temple Gate stands toward the east of the precincts, a gate with a round-tiled roof carried on posts set forward of the centre, built by carpenters from the islands of the Inland Sea (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It has side openings on both sides and closely set double-tier rafters, giving it a solid weight.
Its head tie beam is carved along its whole length to imitate waves, and carvings appear throughout, making it richly decorated (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that the gate expresses the character of the area and of its carpenters well, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the head tie beam carved with waves along its length, the side openings and the double-tier rafters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Kosenji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The hall and the gate are covered together on the Kosenji Temple group page.
Q&A
- When was the gate built?
- In 1829 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type of gate is it?
- A round-tiled gate with its posts set forward of the centre (yakuimon).
- How is it decorated?
- Its head tie beam is carved with waves along its full length.
- Who built it?
- Carpenters from the islands of the Inland Sea.
- When was the Kosenji Temple Gate registered?
- On March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kosenji Temple Gate (弘泉寺山門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 843 Shimotsui Tanoura 2-chome, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 2.7 m wide |
| Owner | Kosenji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Kosenji Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012236
Last verified: 2026.10.19
