Kaminoshima Shinmei Shrine Arched Bridge

An Arched Stone Bridge of 1936

The Kaminoshima Shinmei Shrine Arched Bridge (上の島神明神社太鼓橋) is a steeply arched stone bridge over a pond of 1936 in Kawashima Matsukuracho, Kakamigahara City, Gifu Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a stone girder bridge 5.7 metres long and 2.7 metres wide; registration number 21-0142.

A Lively Stone Arch

Kaminoshima Shinmei Shrine in Kawashima Matsukuracho, Kakamigahara, has 7 registered structures built from the early Showa period to 1937: its main hall, offering hall, office, purification pavilion, torii, banbei screen and arched bridge (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The arched bridge crosses a pond at the centre of the precinct, in front of the worship hall; it is a stone girder bridge of 1936 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The arch rises 1.5 metres and is propped at the centre, with stone panels carved with arabesques on either side of the prop.

Railings with onion-shaped caps run at both ends, their handrails held on stones shaped like frog-leg struts. The Agency notes its steep, lively curve.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.

What to Look For

At the arched bridge, look for the 1.5-metre rise, the arabesque panels and the railings with onion-shaped caps (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by the Shinmei Shrine religious corporation (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting was found. The main hall, offering hall, shrine office, purification pavilion, torii, banbei screen and arched bridge are introduced together on the Kaminoshima Shinmei Shrine page.