A Four-Legged Gate of 1861 before the Hall
The Tokoji Temple Gate (東光寺山門) is a four-legged gate before the main hall, with large carved ornaments on its gables of 1861 in Takehara, Kitayama Village, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on April 25, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber gate with a tiled roof, 2.4 metres wide; registration number 30-0191.
A Four-Legged Gate with Carved Gables
The gate of Tokoji Temple, a four-legged gate of 1861 on the east front of the main hall, has its ridge posts set slightly forward, so that it resembles a yakuimon gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It has a gabled roof of pantiles.
There are no bracket sets on the posts; along the ridge, 3 short struts stand on the head beam and carry the ridge on bearing blocks and bracket arms. On the gables the struts carry large carved oigata ornaments, setting off the view of the temple front (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
At the gate, look for the large carved oigata ornaments on the gable struts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
The main hall and gate are owned by Tokoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting was found. Both are introduced together on the Tokoji Temple (Kitayama) page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1861 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where does it stand?
- On the east front of the main hall.
- What type of gate is it?
- A four-legged gate like a yakuimon.
- What decorates the gables?
- Large carved oigata ornaments.
- When was the Tokoji Temple Gate registered?
- On April 25, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tokoji Temple Gate (東光寺山門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 296 Takehara, Kitayama Village, Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2014/04/25 (Heisei 26) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, 2.4 m wide |
| Owner | Tokoji Temple (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | No official information on access |
References
- Tokoji Temple Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010040
Last verified: 2026.11.07
