Saikyoji Temple North Gate

An Early Showa Gate on the North Road

Saikyoji Temple North Gate (西教寺北門, Saikyō-ji Kitamon) is an early Showa gate (1926 to 1945) on the eastern part of the north side of Saikyoji, between the drum tower and the sutra repository, in Saiwai, Izumi City, Osaka Prefecture, and it was listed as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on October 7, 2014.

It is a single-bay yakuimon, 2.1 metres wide, of timber with a gabled kirizuma roof of interlocking round and flat tiles. Among Saikyoji's registered buildings, only the drum tower of 1962 is younger.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits the Saikyoji North Gate, together with the drum tower, the sutra repository and the main-hall roof, with giving order to the streetscape along the north side of the precinct.

A Crossbeam and Three Beams

The Saikyoji Temple North Gate was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.

Its main posts are flat gohei timbers, and a kabuki crossbeam spans their tops. Three rectangular beams run back across it, and a purlin laid on their front ends carries the rafters.

Where the East Gate supports its purlins on bearing blocks and bracket arms, the Saikyoji North Gate sets the purlin straight onto the beam ends, a leaner solution. Two gates of the same yakuimon type show how construction shifted with period and purpose.

What to Look For

The Saikyoji North Gate is best appreciated from the road outside. Stand on the north street and the corner drum tower, the North Gate, the pyramid roof of the sutra repository and the great roof of the main hall behind line up as a single streetscape.

Under the gate, look up at the three beams resting on the crossbeam and the purlin on their ends carrying the rafters. With so little ornament, the framing is easy to follow.

Visiting the Saikyoji Temple North Gate

The Saikyoji Temple North Gate is an outdoor gate on the north side of the precinct and can be seen from the road to the north. Whether it stands open may depend on the time or on temple events, so the main entrance at the Great Gate is the reliable way in. Ask about photography before taking pictures. Directions are on the Saikyoji Temple (Izumi) page.