View source for Shōjō-ji

{{Infobox religious building
| name                  = Shōjō-ji<br/>勝常寺
| native_name           =
| image                 = Shojoji Yakushi Hall.jpg
| alt                   =
| caption               = Yakushi Hall ([[Important Cultural Properties of Japan|Important Cultural Property]])
| map_type              = Japan Fukushima Prefecture#Japan
|relief=1
| map_size              =
| map_alt               =
| map_caption           =
| location              = [[Yugawa, Fukushima|Yugawa]], [[Fukushima Prefecture]]
| coordinates           = {{coord|37|33|48|N|139|52|12.28|E|scale:5000}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Buddhist]]
| rite =  [[Shingon-shu Buzan-ha]]
| deity                 = [[Bhaisajyaguru|Yakushi Nyorai]]
| country               = Japan
| functional_status     =
| website               =
| founded_by            = [[Tokuitsu]]
| year_completed        = c.807
}}
{{nihongo|'''Shōjō-ji'''|勝常寺}} is a [[Buddhist temples in Japan|Buddhist temple]] of the [[Shingon-shu Buzan-ha]] sect in [[Yugawa, Fukushima|Yugawa]], [[Kawanuma District, Fukushima|Kawanuma District]], [[Fukushima Prefecture]], [[Japan]].<ref name="yugawa-historic">{{cite web | url=http://www.vill.yugawa.fukushima.jp/kyouikuiinkai/historic.html | script-title=ja:史跡・文化財 | publisher=[[Yugawa, Fukushima|Yugawa]] | accessdate=July 19, 2011 |trans-title=Historical landmarks and cultural assets | language=Japanese}}</ref>
==History==
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.<ref name="yugawa-historic"/>
==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 Properties of Japan|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 [[Bhaisajyaguru|Yakushi Nyorai]], flanked by [[Suryaprabha|Nikko Bosatsu]] and [[Candraprabha|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 of Japan|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 of Japan|Important Cultural Properties]]:
*[[Four Heavenly Kings]] (group of four statues)
* [[Guanyin|Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu]]
* Sho Kannon Bosatsu
* [[Kṣitigarbha|Jizo Bosatsu]] ("Longevity Jizo")
* Jizo Bosatsu ("Rain-bringing Jizo")
* Unidentified Bosatsu (possibly [[Ākāśagarbha|Kokuzo Bosatsu]])
==See also==
*[[List of National Treasures of Japan (sculptures)]]
*[http://www.fukutabi.net/fuku/wakamatu/kirisuto.html]
*[http://www.vill.yugawa.fukushima.jp/kyouikuiinkai/bunkazai_01_kenchiku.html]
==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Buddhist temples in Japan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shojo-Ji}}
[[Category:Buddhist temples in Fukushima Prefecture]]
[[Category:Yugawa, Fukushima]]
[[Category:National Treasures of Japan]]
[[Category:Important Cultural Properties of Japan]]
[[Category:9th-century Buddhist temples]]
[[Category:9th-century establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Shingon Buddhism]]
[[Category:807 establishments]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in the 800s]]