A purification pavilion for visitors from the east
The Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion (今宮神社手水舎, Imamiya Jinja Temizusha) is a purification pavilion of 1694 standing north-east of the Tower Gate at Imamiya Shrine in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/03/27. This is where worshippers rinse their hands and mouth before praying.
It stands not in front of the main gate but to its north-east, facing north. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, it was placed for people arriving by the eastern approach and the East Gate, which suggests how important that route already was. It belongs to Keishoin's Genroku rebuilding, the same year as the worship hall and Wakamiyasha.
Struts stacked in two tiers
The Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion is a small one-bay structure with a hip-and-gable roof and an area of 5.9 square metres. Its square posts are tied with tie beams, and each side is fitted with lattice.
Look between the posts. Two kaerumata struts sit on the lower tie beam and a third on the beam above, so the ornaments are stacked in two tiers. Each is carved in one piece with the bracket arm above it and finished with moulded profiles, an odd form that the Agency calls an unusual intermediate support. It rates the pavilion highly for its showy detail.
Few buildings this small carry so much ornament. The Genroku builders lavished care on the first place visitors stop.
What to look for, and visiting
Anyone may use the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion. After purifying your hands, step back and look up at the two tiers of struts; from the north side, the two below and one above form a triangle.
People come and go constantly, so wait for a gap before lingering. Directions are on the Imamiya Shrine page.
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Q&A
- When was the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion built?
- In 1694, during Keishoin's Genroku rebuilding.
- Where is the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion?
- North-east of the Tower Gate, facing north, placed for visitors coming in by the East Gate.
- What is special about the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion?
- Its kaerumata struts stacked in two tiers, two below and one above, each carved together with its bracket arm.
- Can I use the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion?
- Yes. Anyone may purify their hands and mouth there before praying.
- How big is the Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion?
- One bay square, with an area of 5.9 square metres.
Basic Information
| Name | Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion (今宮神社手水舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 21 Imamiyacho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 26-552 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, one bay square, hip-and-gable tiled roof; area 5.9 square metres |
| Owner | Imamiya Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Can be used and seen freely in the grounds (no charge) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Imamiya Shrine Temizuya Pavilion
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012204
- Agency for Cultural Affairs — Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), report of 2017/11/17 (Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/r1392281_21.pdf
- Kyoto City official travel guide — Imamiya Shrine (Japanese)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=496
Last verified: 2026.10.01
