A Main Hall of 1412
The Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine Main Hall (久津八幡宮本殿) is a mid-Muromachi three-bay nagare-style main hall with carvings of warblers and carp under its eaves of 1412 in Hagiwaracho Joro, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay nagare-style hall with a roof of wooden shingles; designation number 01253.
Warblers and Carp
The main hall of Kuzu Hachimangu, behind the worship hall, dates from 1412; it is a three-bay hall in the nagare style with a roof of wooden shingles (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
According to the Japan Tourism Agency commentary (Gero City, 2023), two bush warblers are carved on a frog-leg strut under the eaves, and two fish called "the carp that call water" were set there against fire. Their power was so strong that the nearby river flooded, the story goes, so arrows were carved beside them to hold it back.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency record has no commentary; the date, 1412, and its form, a three-bay nagare-style hall with a shingle roof, set out what was designated.
What to Look For
At the main hall, look for the warblers on the frog-leg strut and the carp carved with arrows beside them (Japan Tourism Agency, 2023).
Visiting
The main hall is owned by Kuzu Hachimangu (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or access was found. According to the Japan Tourism Agency commentary (Gero City, 2023), each mid-January local high school students shoot arrows at a straw carp in a "river-calming ceremony". The worship hall and main hall are introduced together on the Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine page.
Q&A
- When was it built?
- In 1412 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What form does it take?
- A three-bay nagare-style hall.
- What are the carp that call water?
- Fish carved against fire.
- Why are arrows carved?
- To hold back the carp's power.
- When was the Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On November 14, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine Main Hall (久津八幡宮本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hagiwaracho Joro, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1953/11/14 (Showa 28) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three-bay nagare style, wooden shingles |
| Owner | Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine |
| Public Access |
References
- Kuzu Hachimangu Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1098
- Kuzu Hachiman Shrine (Japan Tourism Agency multilingual commentary database, Gero City, 2023)
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R5-00593.html
Last verified: 2026.11.10
