Shōjō-ji was opened in 807 by the Hossō sect scholar-monk Tokuitsu. The original name of the temple is not known, but the present name has been in use since medieval times. At the time of foundation it was a large temple forming a complete Shichidō garan, many attached buildings, twelve houses for monks and more than 100 sub-temples. Today, the temple consists among others of the original auditorium (Yakushi Hall), the residence of the head priest (reception hall), the kitchen, the central gate (chūmon) and more than 30 Buddhist statues.[1]
Buildings and cultural assets
Of the more than 30 Buddha statues at Shōjō-ji, 12 date from the early Heian period, and probably date from the original construction of the temple. It is very rare except for temples in Kansai area for a temple to have so many statues of such antiquity.
Yakushi-do
The current Yakushi-do is an early Muromachi period structure, and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. However, the original thatched roof was replaced by copper sheathing in 1964. The location of this building is on the site of the Lecture Hall in the original temple layout, and there are traces of burn marks on the foundation stones, including that the temple burned down before this building was constructed.
Yakushi Sanzon
The main image at Shōjō-ji is a statue of Yakushi Nyorai, flanked by Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu. The main Yakushi Nyorai image remains in the Yakushi-do, but the side statues have been transferred to storage for safekeeping. The main Yakushi Nyorai image is made from a block of Zelkova serrata, divided front-to-back. The statue dates from the early 9th century and was designated a National Treasure in 1996.
Other statuary
Five statues and one group of four statues) at Shōjō-ji dating from the early Heian period have been designated national Important Cultural Properties:
^ ab史跡・文化財 [Historical landmarks and cultural assets] (in Japanese). Yugawa. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
January 28, 2023
shōjō, 勝常寺, buddhist, temple, shingon, buzan, sect, yugawa, kawanuma, district, fukushima, prefecture, japan, 勝常寺yakushi, hall, important, cultural, property, religionaffiliationbuddhistdeityyakushi, nyorairiteshingon, buzan, halocationlocationyugawa, fukushim. Shōjō ji 勝常寺 is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon shu Buzan ha sect in Yugawa Kawanuma District Fukushima Prefecture Japan 1 Shōjō ji勝常寺Yakushi Hall Important Cultural Property ReligionAffiliationBuddhistDeityYakushi NyoraiRiteShingon shu Buzan haLocationLocationYugawa Fukushima PrefectureCountryJapanShown within Fukushima PrefectureShow map of Fukushima PrefectureShōjō ji Japan Show map of JapanGeographic coordinates37 33 48 N 139 52 12 28 E 37 56333 N 139 8700778 E 37 56333 139 8700778ArchitectureFounderTokuitsuCompletedc 807 Contents 1 History 2 Buildings and cultural assets 2 1 Yakushi do 2 2 Yakushi Sanzon 2 3 Other statuary 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory EditShōjō ji was opened in 807 by the Hossō sect scholar monk Tokuitsu The original name of the temple is not known but the present name has been in use since medieval times At the time of foundation it was a large temple forming a complete Shichidō garan many attached buildings twelve houses for monks and more than 100 sub temples Today the temple consists among others of the original auditorium Yakushi Hall the residence of the head priest reception hall the kitchen the central gate chumon and more than 30 Buddhist statues 1 Buildings and cultural assets EditOf the more than 30 Buddha statues at Shōjō ji 12 date from the early Heian period and probably date from the original construction of the temple It is very rare except for temples in Kansai area for a temple to have so many statues of such antiquity Yakushi do Edit The current Yakushi do is an early Muromachi period structure and is designated as a National Important Cultural Property However the original thatched roof was replaced by copper sheathing in 1964 The location of this building is on the site of the Lecture Hall in the original temple layout and there are traces of burn marks on the foundation stones including that the temple burned down before this building was constructed Yakushi Sanzon Edit The main image at Shōjō ji is a statue of Yakushi Nyorai flanked by Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu The main Yakushi Nyorai image remains in the Yakushi do but the side statues have been transferred to storage for safekeeping The main Yakushi Nyorai image is made from a block of Zelkova serrata divided front to back The statue dates from the early 9th century and was designated a National Treasure in 1996 Other statuary Edit Five statues and one group of four statues at Shōjō ji dating from the early Heian period have been designated national Important Cultural Properties Four Heavenly Kings group of four statues Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu Sho Kannon Bosatsu Jizo Bosatsu Longevity Jizo Jizo Bosatsu Rain bringing Jizo Unidentified Bosatsu possibly Kokuzo Bosatsu See also EditList of National Treasures of Japan sculptures 1 2 References Edit a b 史跡 文化財 Historical landmarks and cultural assets in Japanese Yugawa Retrieved July 19 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Shōjō ji amp oldid 1047694634, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
