Isshindenjinai Moated Settlement
Isshindenjinai-kangōshūraku was a fortified temple complex and moated settlement in what is now Isshinden Township, Tsu Municipality. The site is now occupied by Senjuji, a large temple complex also known as Isshindenji. Parts of the old moat network can be found around the back of the temple and in
History
Isshindenji was first built in 1464 as Muryōjuin (later, Muryōjuji), its name being changed to Senjuji in the 16th century. A settlement was formed around the temple, and the settlement and temple were fortified with a moat in the turbulent Sengoku period. In the Edo period, the temple grounds were part of Tsu Domain, and the lords of Tsu further enfeoffed and expanded the temple. Most of the temple's architecture and also much of the townscape dates to the Edo period.
Field Notes
Isshindenjinai-kangōshūraku was a fortified temple complex and moated settlement in what is now Isshinden Township, Tsu Municipality. The site is now occupied by Senjuji, a large temple complex also known as Isshindenji. Parts of the old moat network can be found around the back of the temple and in the town, but I could find no way to access these areas. A local festival was ongoing during my visit, and the old streets were full of stalls and families. I would like to return on a quieter day to better appreciate the old townscape and find the extant moat remnants.
Senjuji is a grand temple with many large halls and gates. Of particular interest to me was the taikomon (drum tower gate), which is a unique structure, a gatehouse with a three-tier tower atop. It almost looks like a castle tower. The tower took shape over several centuries, with an extra tier being added to the drum tower to commemorate important events. The drum tower was first built circa 1661, and by 1797 it consisted of two tiers in addition to the gatehouse. In 1861, the tower was rebuilt with three tiers. Building codes in the Edo period were very strict, so the temple must've had exemptions as a religious organisation in order to build such a grand gatehouse. Indeed, the temple formed its own mini-fief.
Other architectural treasures at Senjuji include the Nyoraidō (1748) and Mieidō (1666) halls which are both national treasures, the sanmon (1704) and karamon (1844) which are also splendid gatehouses and important cultural properties, and the ôgenkan (grand parlour hall) (1790).
There is an information centre, 'Jinai-yakata', with a model of the town, opposite the southwest corner of the temple.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Isshindenjinai Moated Settlement |
| Japanese Name | 一身田寺内環濠集落 |
| Alternate Names | Senjuji; Muryōjuin |
| Founder | Shinshū Takada-ha |
| Year Founded | 1464 |
| Castle Type | Flatland |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | has Important Cultural Properties |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Artifacts | Nyoraidō (1748), Mieidō (1666), Sanmon (1704), Karamon (1844), ôgenkan (1790) |
| Features | gates, water moats, castle town |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Ishinden Station on the Kansai Main Line; 5 minute walk |
| Hours | Jinai-yakata info' centre opens 9:00-16:30 |
| Time Required | 60 mins |
| URL | Castle Website |
| Location | Tsu, Mie Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 34.76195, 136.50371 |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2025 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
| Friends of JCastle | |
| Umoreta Kojō | |
