Category:

Municipally Designated Tangible Folk Cultural Property

Title:

Kojoji no koshinto

Koshin Tower of Kojoji Temple

高城寺の庚申塔

No. of features:

One structure

Designated:

February 7, 1975

Location:

229 Nishiasuma, Nishi Ward

Owner:

The religious juridical person of Kojoji Temple

Description:

This hatted, square koshin pillar was constructed in 1663, early in the Edo period. The 171-centimeter-tall body of the structure features the three-faced, two-elbowed relief of the deity Shomen Kongo. He is shown upon a trampled demon while holding a sword and rope against a flaming mandorla. Two children flank Shomen Kongo on either side, with two monkeys and two chickens embossed underneath. 

While koshin pillars from this time period often featured monkeys as their central figures, this piece is stands out as a pioneer for future trends in design with its depiction of Shomen Kongo, a deity believed to relieve disease and misfortune.

Associated Texts:

Cultural Properties of Omiya, 2 (Omiya City Board of Education, published in 1986)

Omiya City Cultural Property Survey Report, Vol. 26 (Omiya City Board of Education, published in 1989)

Omiya’s Koshin Towers, Omiya Sosho 1 (Omiya City Board of Education, published in 1998)

When visiting, please be mindful of your actions and avoid disturbing the owners of the cultural property, local residents, and other visitors.

Inquiries (Japanese only)

Cultural Heritage Preservation Division, Department of Lifelong Learning, Board of Education Secretariat　

TEL: 048-829-1723 FAX: 048-829-1989

https://www.city.saitama.jp/004/005/006/001/019/003/003/p000458.html