This time is talking about Josenji Temple in Yunomae Town. This is a truly remarkable and serene historical site, and another essential component of the Hitoyoshi-Kuma Japan Heritage story!
Here is what makes this historic temple so extraordinary:
The Oldest Wooden Building in Kumamoto: Built in the early Kamakura period (around 1222), the Amida Hall (Amida-do) of Josenji is officially the oldest existing wooden structure in all of Kumamoto Prefecture. Its elegant, thickly thatched roof is a masterpiece of medieval architecture.
A Funny Historical Typo: The temple was originally called “Joshinji” after its founder. However, when its statues were designated as cultural properties in 1915, a government clerk mistakenly wrote “Josenji” on the official documents. The typo was never fixed, and the new name stuck!
A Treasure Trove of Cultural Properties: It is not just the building that is special. Inside, it houses a stunning wooden Amida Nyorai Triad carved in 1229. Outside in the courtyard, you will find incredibly atmospheric Seven-Story and Nine-Story Stone Pagodas built in 1230. All of these (the hall, the statues, and the two pagodas) are Nationally Designated Important Cultural Properties.
It is a quiet, deeply spiritual place where you can step away from the modern world and feel 800 years of samurai-era history.
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