Former Okusa Elementary and Higher Elementary School Hoanden

A Rare Stone Monument to Japan's Prewar Educational Heritage

Tucked away in the quiet rural town of Daiwa-chō in Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Former Ōkusa Ordinary Higher Elementary School Hōanden (旧大草尋常高等小学校奉安殿) stands as a remarkable survivor of a bygone era. Built in 1936 (Shōwa 11), this diminutive stone structure is one of very few remaining hōanden in Japan and has been registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property since January 26, 2011.

A hōanden was a small, purpose-built structure found on the grounds of Japanese schools during the prewar and wartime periods. Its sole function was to house the goshinei — the official photographic portraits of the Emperor and Empress — along with the Imperial Rescript on Education (Kyōiku Chokugo). These items were treated with the highest reverence, and the hōanden was regarded as the most sacred place on any school campus. Students and teachers alike were required to bow deeply whenever passing before it.

Historical Background: The Role of the Hōanden in Japanese Education

The practice of distributing imperial portraits to schools began in the Meiji era, and by the 1920s and 1930s, the construction of independent, fireproof hōanden buildings became widespread across Japan. The impetus came partly from tragic incidents in which school principals lost their lives trying to rescue imperial portraits from burning school buildings — acts that were publicly praised as expressions of loyalty.

In 1937, the Ministry of Education issued guidelines recommending shrine-style designs for hōanden, constructed with fireproof materials and placed in safe locations away from school buildings. Many hōanden adopted the form of miniature Shinto shrines, though some, like the one at Ōkusa, incorporated Western architectural elements, resulting in unique hybrid designs.

After Japan's defeat in World War II, the Allied Occupation authorities issued the Shinto Directive in December 1945, ordering the removal of all hōanden from schools nationwide. The vast majority were dismantled or destroyed. According to a survey by the War Remains Research Society, only approximately 557 hōanden were known to survive across Japan as of December 2020, making each remaining example a precious historical artifact.

Architectural Features: Where East Meets West in Stone

What makes the Ōkusa Hōanden particularly noteworthy is its distinctive stone construction and its fusion of Western classical and Japanese architectural elements. The structure sits atop a stone-stacked platform (kidan) at the corner of the former school grounds.

The building measures just 1.7 meters in both width and depth, with a total floor area of only 2.9 square meters. Despite its compact size, the architectural detail is remarkable. The main body is constructed of finely cut ashlar stone (kiriseki nunozumi), and the front façade features Doric-style stone columns that support a projecting eave — a clear reference to ancient Greek temple architecture rarely seen in structures of this type.

The roof is equally distinctive. The stone roofing features upturned edges (sumizori), a technique borrowed from traditional Japanese architecture, and is crowned with a jewel-shaped finial stone (hōju). Four small gabled roofs (kirizuma) project from each side, adding to the structure's unique silhouette. This combination of classical Western columns with Japanese roofing techniques creates a truly one-of-a-kind design that sets this hōanden apart from the more common shrine-style examples found elsewhere.

The structure underwent some modification in 1969 (Shōwa 44), but it retains its essential original character and continues to serve as an eloquent testament to the craftsmanship of local stonemasons in the early Shōwa period.

Why It Was Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property

The Former Ōkusa Elementary School Hōanden was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property (建造物) on January 26, 2011. Its registration recognizes several key values.

First, the structure is an exceptionally rare surviving example of a hōanden, a building type that was once ubiquitous in Japanese schools but was almost entirely eliminated after World War II. Second, its all-stone construction is itself unusual — most hōanden were built of reinforced concrete or wood. Third, the creative blending of Doric-style Western columns with Japanese architectural features such as upturned roof edges and a hōju finial represents a distinctive regional interpretation of the hōanden form. The official registration description specifically notes it as an "independently styled stone hōanden" (独特な形式になる石造奉安殿).

As a registered Tangible Cultural Property, the structure is recognized for its historical and architectural significance while remaining under relatively flexible conservation regulations that allow for continued use and maintenance by its owner, Mihara City.

Highlights and Points of Interest

Visitors to the Ōkusa Hōanden will find a structure that, despite its small size, commands attention through the quality of its stone craftsmanship and its unique architectural character. The Doric columns at the front entrance, carved from local stone, are particularly striking — miniature echoes of classical Mediterranean architecture transplanted to the hills of rural Hiroshima.

The setting itself adds to the experience. The hōanden remains in its original location at the corner of what was once the Ōkusa Elementary School grounds, now surrounded by the quiet countryside of the Daiwa district. The peaceful rural atmosphere invites reflection on the historical circumstances that led to the creation of such structures and their near-total disappearance.

For visitors interested in modern Japanese history, the hōanden provides a tangible connection to the prewar education system and the role that imperial symbolism played in school life. It stands as a reminder of a complex chapter in Japan's past, preserved not as a celebration but as a valuable historical record.

Surrounding Area and Nearby Attractions

The Daiwa district of Mihara City offers a variety of attractions that complement a visit to the hōanden. The area is known for its beautiful natural scenery and agricultural heritage.

Hakuryūko (White Dragon Lake), a reservoir created by the Mukunashi Dam completed in 1969, lies nearby and features scenic cherry blossom-lined shores in spring, a roadside station (Michi no Eki Yogansu Hakuryū), and sports facilities. The lake takes its name from a local legend about the Mukunashi River.

Hiroshima Airport is conveniently close, connected to the Daiwa area via the Hiroshima Central Flight Road, which includes the spectacular Hiroshima Sky Arch — Japan's longest arch bridge. The Hakuryūko Tourist Orchard near the lake offers seasonal fruit-picking experiences including strawberries, cherries, grapes, and pears.

Further afield, the renowned Buttsuji Temple, an important Rinzai Zen temple famous for its autumn foliage, is located within Mihara City. The temple grounds include Important Cultural Properties and offer a deeply serene atmosphere. Mihara Castle, built by the Sengoku-era warlord Kobayakawa Takakage and known as the "floating castle" for its original seaside location, can be visited near JR Mihara Station.