Munakatasha in the south-east corner
The Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha (今宮神社宗像社, Imamiya Jinja Munakatasha) is a shrine of about 1694 facing east in the south-east corner of Imamiya Shrine in Murasakino, Kita Ward, Kyoto City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/03/27. It enshrines the three Munakata goddesses of Munakata Taisha in Fukuoka, and Imamiya offers amulets for good relationships in their name.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha, though small, shows the variety of workmanship typical of the Genroku period. Its building area is 1.4 square metres. It stands between the Tower Gate and the East Gate, close to both.
A catfish in the stone
The shrine sits on a base of cut stone, and a catfish is incised into the stone. Animals carved into the base of a shrine are rare, so this is a detail not to miss.
It is a one-bay nagare-zukuri shrine in copper sheet. The front half of the sanctum is left open, a veranda with side screens runs across the front and sides, and the canopy has a raised wooden platform.
The bracketing differs between parts: boat-shaped brackets on round posts for the sanctum, three-part bracket sets on square posts for the canopy, with curved shrimp-shaped beams linking the two. A 1.4-square-metre shrine combines two kinds of bracketing and a curved beam.
What to look for, and visiting
The Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha can be seen from the path in the south-east corner and cannot be entered. First look for the catfish on the base, then view the curved beams between canopy and sanctum from a front corner.
It is a short walk from either the Tower Gate or the East Gate. Directions are on the Imamiya Shrine page.
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Q&A
- When was the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha built?
- Around 1694.
- What is carved on the base of the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha?
- A catfish, incised into the cut stone.
- Who is enshrined at the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha?
- The three Munakata goddesses of Munakata Taisha; Imamiya offers amulets for good relationships in their name.
- What is special about the construction of the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha?
- An open front half to the sanctum, different bracketing for sanctum and canopy, and curved beams joining them.
- Where is the Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha?
- In the south-east corner of the grounds, facing east, between the Tower Gate and the East Gate.
Basic Information
| Name | Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha (今宮神社宗像社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 21 Imamiyacho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 26-549 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/03/27 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, single storey, one-bay nagare-zukuri shrine with copper-sheet roof; building area 1.4 square metres |
| Owner | Imamiya Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior can be seen freely from the grounds (no charge); interior not open |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Imamiya Shrine Munakatasha
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012201
- 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
