Shimōsa Kokubun-ji
| Shimōsa Kokubun-ji | |
|---|---|
下野国分寺 | |
Shimōsa Kokubun-ji Hondo | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhist |
| Deity | Dainichi Nyorai |
| Rite | Shingon-shu Buzan-ha |
| Status | active |
| Location | |
| Location | Ichikawa, Chiba |
| Country | Japan |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°44′39″N 139°55′09″E / 35.74417°N 139.91917°E |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | c.Emperor Shōmu |
| Completed | c.741AD |
The Shimōsa Kokubun-ji (下総国分寺) is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. It belongs to the Shingon-shū Buzan-ha sect and its honzon is an image of Dainichi Nyorai. The present temple is of uncertain foundation, but claims to be the direct descendant of the original Nara period provincial temple ("kokubunji") of former Shimōsa Province. which fell into ruins sometime during the Kamakura period. The Nara-period temple ruins were designated a National Historic Site in 1967, and the area under protection includes the site of a kiln used to produce roof tiles used by the temple. The area designated was expanded in 2002