A Sturdy Gate before the Hall
The Ioji Temple Gate (医王寺山門) is a sturdy temple gate of 1821 in Ouchicho Kuroiwa, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 10, 2010 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber gate with a tiled roof, 3.2 metres wide; registration number 41-0079.
A Gate before the Main Hall
The Ioji Temple Gate stands in front of the main hall, a one-bay gate with its posts set forward of the centre under a pantiled gabled roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A head beam rests on the main posts, paired brackets extend front and back, and plank struts sit in the gables and between the brackets.
The rear posts are chamfered square posts, with a cloud-patterned strut between them; the whole gate gives an impression of stout timbers (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes the stout timbers that give the gate its character, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look for the cloud-patterned strut and the stout timbers throughout (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ioji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The hall and the gate are covered together on the Ioji Temple group page.
Q&A
- When was the Ioji Temple Gate built?
- In 1821 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type of gate is it?
- A one-bay gate with its posts set forward, under a pantiled gabled roof.
- How is it decorated?
- With a cloud-patterned strut between the rear posts.
- Where is it?
- In front of the main hall.
- When was the Ioji Temple Gate registered?
- On September 10, 2010 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ioji Temple Gate (医王寺山門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 183 Ouchicho Kuroiwa, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2010/09/10 (Heisei 22) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 3.2 m wide |
| Owner | Ioji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Ioji Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00008382
Last verified: 2026.10.19
