Yawata city
Shobo-ji Temple


Designated Important Cultural Properties
Kamakura Period
Connection with the Tokugawa Family

Shobo-ji is an old temple of the Jodo sect. The temple originated in the assignment of Takada Tadakuni to Yawata by the order of Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-99), the founder of the Kamakura Shogunate. The Takada family changed its family name to Shimizu and constructed additional temple buildings to make it the family temple. Originally belonging to the Tendai sect, it was later converted into a temple of the Jodo sect. Under the patronage of Emperor Go-Nara, it became a temple connected with the imperial family in 1546. At that time, several sub-temples were constructed and the temple estate expanded.
Later, Shimizu Munekiyo's daughter, Kame, became a mistress of the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543-1616) and gave birth to Tokugawa Yoshinao, who founded the Owari clan. After her death the temple was protected by the Tokugawa family in Owari.
The main hall, Chinese style gate and daihojo (the large quarters of a superior), which were all constructed in 1630, are designated as important cultural properties. The present compound was almost completed at that time. Shohojo (the small chamber of a superior), the study and the belfry are designated as cultural properties by the Kyoto prefectural government.
The garden, west of the study, is a spot of scenic beauty designated by the Kyoto prefectural government. The compound is designated as an environmental preservation zone for cultural assets by the prefectural government. The temple possesses various important cultural assets such as a silk-based colored painting of Buddha (made during the Koguryo Period of ancient Korea) and a large sutra collection (made in 740).

Source: The Yawata municipal government

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