A Tiny Guardian Shrine beside the Main Hall
The Manpukuji Temple Guardian Shrine (萬福寺鎮守堂) is the small guardian shrine of the temple of 1889 in Nobuno, Nakacho, Naka District, Tokushima Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on February 9, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber structure with a sheet-metal roof and a building area of 1.0 square metres; registration number 36-0053.
A Shelf-Style Shrine on a Rubble Base
The Manpukuji Temple Guardian Shrine faces south to the west of the main hall, and a ridge tablet dates it to 1889 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a one-bay shrine of the misedana (shelf) type on a base of rubble stone, with board eaves and a sheet-metal roof.
The core has round posts with bearing blocks and brackets on a plate (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The front aisle has square posts tied by a curved tie beam, with linked three-part brackets and a frog-leg strut in the centre.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that, though simply built, it is an essential part of the temple precinct, and registered it as a model of design.
What to Look For
Look for the rubble-stone base and the linked brackets and frog-leg strut on the front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Manpukuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found. The main hall, guardian shrine, bell tower and storehouse are introduced together on the Manpukuji Temple page.
Q&A
- When was the shrine built?
- In 1889, dated by a ridge tablet (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What type is it?
- A one-bay shrine of the misedana type.
- Where does it stand?
- West of the main hall, facing south.
- How big is it?
- Its building area is 1.0 square metres.
- When was the Manpukuji Temple Guardian Shrine registered?
- On February 9, 2005 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Manpukuji Temple Guardian Shrine (萬福寺鎮守堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 20 Nobuno, Nakacho, Naka District, Tokushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2005/02/09 (Heisei 17) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Timber, sheet-metal roof, 1.0 m² |
| Owner | Manpukuji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Manpukuji Temple Guardian Shrine (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00004639
Last verified: 2026.10.23
