Sarureo Shrine Torii

A Dated Stone Torii of 1830

The Sarureo Shrine Torii (讃留霊王神社鳥居) is a stone myojin-style torii of 1830, standing halfway up the steps from the east entrance to the worship and offering halls of Sarureo Shrine at Shimohogunji, Hanzan-cho, Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 27, 2018 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a stone torii 2.2 metres wide and 2.9 metres high, registration number 37-430.

A Shrine Whose Deity Is a Burial Mound

According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sarureo Shrine stands on a low hill in the plain south of Marugame City, and its object of worship is the round burial mound behind it, the Sarureo Kofun. Steps lead up from the entrance at the east end of the grounds to the worship and offering halls, behind which a stone fence encloses the top of the mound.

The offering hall, stone fence and torii of Sarureo Shrine were registered on March 27, 2018. The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists the owner as the religious corporation Yasaka Shrine.

Value as a Registered Cultural Property

The Sarureo Shrine Torii was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it preserves the historic scenery of the shrine grounds.

What to Look For

The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a torii 2.2 metres wide whose pillars lean slightly inward, joined by a lower lintel and a strongly upswept top beam.

The pillars of the Sarureo Shrine Torii are carved with the date Bunsei 13 (1830), so its age is certain (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

The Sarureo Shrine Torii stands within the shrine grounds. No public access information has been confirmed, so respect worshippers and take care not to damage the grounds, which include the burial mound. The address is 1459 Shimohogunji, Hanzan-cho, Marugame City. The three registered structures are gathered on the group page Sarureo Shrine.