A Concrete School Shrine Facing the Schoolyard
The Setsuko Elementary and Junior High School Former Hoanden (節子小中学校旧奉安殿) is a reinforced concrete hoanden built in 1935 on the grounds of the school at Setsuko, Setouchi Town, Oshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture, which in 2006 was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single-storey concrete structure with a building area of 4.6 square metres and a platform, owned by Setouchi Town and registered as a model of design.
The Agency explains that it housed the imperial portrait and the Imperial Rescript on Education.
Structure
According to the Agency, it faces west toward the schoolyard, standing in concrete on a platform in the style of dressed-stone masonry, surrounded by a railing.
It is gabled and entered on the long side, with round columns moulded at the corners, a lintel carrying the beam, and eaves shaped as single widely spaced rafters.
What to Look For
The Agency notes that it is modelled on shrine architecture. Look at how the concrete reproduces round columns, lintels and rafters.
Setouchi Town also has the Satsukawa Elementary School hoanden, registered the same day; the Setsuko example is distinguished by its round corner columns and railed platform.
Visiting the Setsuko Elementary and Junior High School Former Hoanden
It stands on school grounds, so take care not to disturb school activities. No official information on visiting conditions could be found.
Enquiries go to the Setouchi Town board of education.
Q&A
- When was the Setsuko hoanden built?
- In 1935.
- What is a hoanden?
- A small building that housed the imperial portrait and the Imperial Rescript on Education.
- What is special about the Setsuko hoanden?
- A gabled concrete building with round corner columns on a railed platform.
- Which way does it face?
- West, toward the schoolyard.
- How big is it?
- A building area of 4.6 square metres.
Basic Information
| Name | Setsuko Elementary and Junior High School Former Hoanden (節子小中学校旧奉安殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Setsuko, Setouchi Town, Oshima District, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2006/8/3 (Heisei 18) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, single storey, building area 4.6 square metres, with platform |
| Owner | Setouchi Town |
| Public Access | No official visitor information found |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Setsuko School Former Hoanden (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00005691
- Cultural Heritage Online: Setsuko School Former Hoanden (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/196689
Last verified: 2026.09.28