Japanese cultural properties are important assets that have been protected and passed on from generation to generation. 

These designated assets include but are not limited to feats of architecture, religious statues, works of art and literature, cultural events, and scenes in nature that have withstood the test of time.

Within Kyoto Prefecture, Kizugawa City is second only to Kyoto City in number of important cultural assets. With its deep history, it is said that Kizugawa City is a treasure trove of cultural properties.

Here is a short compilation of designated cultural properties in Kizugawa City. A full list can be found at the bottom of this page.

 

Designation/Type

 Name - Location Description

National Treasure/

Architecture

 Kaijusen-ji Temple Five-Story Pagoda

■ Kaijusen-ji Temple
Kamocho Reihei Kaijusen 20

 

 Kamakura Era – Kempo 2 (1214)
3 ken five-story pagoda, tile roofing
Height: 17.1m

 

Built by a disciple of the monk Jokei to commemorate the anniversary of his passing. Second smallest outdoor, five-story pagoda (smallest located at Muro-ji Temple in Nara). The central pillar of the pagoda is constructed from the roof of the first floor; there is no foundation stone to the central pillar. One of two five-story pagodas with a "skirt story" or decorative roof (only other at Horyu-ji Temple in Nara).

National Treasure/

Architecture

 Joruri-ji Temple Three-Story Pagoda

■ Joruri-ji Temple

Kamocho Nishio Futaba 40

 

 Heian - Fujiwara Era
3 ken three-story pagoda, hinoki roof
Height: 16.08m

 

Deconstructed in Omiya-Ichijo, Kyoto, moved, and reconstructed in its present location.

The inside of the first floor is decorated with the Eight Aspects of Buddha on the door, the 16 Arhats of Buddha on each corner, and other intricate designs along the walls. A Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaisajyaguru) statue is enshrined inside.
National Treasure/
Architecture		 Joruri-ji Temple Main Hall

■ Joruri-ji Temple

Kamocho Nishio Futaba 40

 

  

Heian Era - Kajo 2 (1107)

 

A horizontally long hall built to house the Nine Sitting Buddha Statues. The hall was built facing east to allow worshipers to pray from the west towards the statues welcoming the Western Pure Land of Buddhism. In front of the main hall is a Jodo style garden and pond.
National Treasure/
Work of Art (Sculpture)		 Nine Wooden Sitting Statues of Amitabha

■ Joruri-ji Temple

Kamocho Nishio Futaba 40

 

Heian Era; Nine statues
Main statue height: 224cm
Other statue height: 138~145cm

 

Formerly, 30+ locations housed Nine Statue collections. Currently, Joruri-ji Temple main hall is the sole location.
National Treasure/
Work of Art (Sculpture)		 Wooden Standing Shitenno Statues

■ Joruri-ji Temple

Kamocho Nishio Futaba 40

 

Heian Era; Four statues
Height: 169~177cm

 

Zochoten, Jikokuten: Property of

temple; Komokuten: Loaned to Tokyo National Museum; Tamonten: Loaned to Kyoto National Museum
Shitenno statues are indicative of the Fujiwara Period and decorated with superb metal leaf designs. An evil spirit with a humorous expression can be seen under the foot of the Shitenno.
National Treasure
Work of Art (Sculpture)		 Bronze Sitting Buddha Statue

■Kanjiman-ji Temple
Yamashirocho Kabatahama 36

 

Hakuho Era
Height: 240cm

Marvelous gilt bronze statue from the Hakuho Era.

Despite being an excellent work of art, its origins and history are mostly unknown and have been long debated. In an archeological study conducted in 2005, it was discovered that this statue is a piece from the Hakuho Era
Historic Sites or Places of Scenic Beauty (Garden) Joruri-ji Temple Garden

■Joruri-ji Temple
Kamocho Nishio Futaba 40

 

Heian - Fujiwara Era

 

The pond at the center, said to be modeled after the first letter in the Sanskrit Siddham script, sits between the Main Hall housing the Nine Sitting Buddha Statues in the west, and the three-story pagoda in the east. The garden is one of the few, rare examples of Jodo-style gardens, and remains unchanged from when it was first created.

Full list of cultural properties in Kizugawa City: Compilation of Designated Cultural Properties in Kizugawa City 

For more information about a certain location, please call Kizugawa City Hall.