What the Temizuya Is
The Izumo Daijingu Shrine Temizuya (出雲大神宮手水舎, Izumo Daijingū Temizusha) in Chitose-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a purification pavilion built in 1885 and registered as a Tangible Cultural Property on February 4, 2021.
A temizuya shelters the water basin where worshippers rinse their hands and mouth before approaching the deity. This one is timber, roofed in pantiles (Sangawara-buki), and covers 6.2 square meters. The Agency classes it as a structure other than a building.
The Izumo Daijingu temizuya stands on the east side of the approach, facing the shrine office across the path. The shrine asks visitors to purify themselves here after passing the torii.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits the Izumo Daijingu temizuya with shaping the view at the entrance to the grounds. It is registered as No. 26-0622 under the historic-landscape criterion.
The ritual implement storehouse dates from the same year, 1885. Both belong to the phase after the 1878 worship hall when the shrine fitted out its approach.
Four Leaning Posts
The Izumo Daijingu temizuya is one bay by one bay, slightly rectangular and open on all sides. Its plain gable (Kirizuma-zukuri) roof has a gentle upward swell along the ridge, a curve known as mukuri.
The four posts stand on stone bases and lean slightly inward as they rise, a technique called uchikorobi that widens the footing for stability. From the front the frame forms a faint trapezoid.
On the west face, toward the approach, the head beam is shaped like a curved tie beam; the other three sides use plain Nuki tie beams. Boat-shaped bracket blocks (Funahijiki) sit on the post tops. Only the face worshippers see gets the extra refinement.
Seeing the Temizuya
The Izumo Daijingu temizuya is in daily use and can be seen up close at any time. Step back a little from the west face to catch the inward lean of the posts.
From beside the basin you can also look up at the exposed rafters under the roof. Access is covered on the Izumo Daijingu Shrine page.
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Q&A
- When was the Izumo Daijingu temizuya built?
- In 1885. It was registered on February 4, 2021.
- Where is the Izumo Daijingu temizuya?
- On the east side of the approach, facing the shrine office.
- What is special about the Izumo Daijingu temizuya?
- Its four posts lean inward on stone bases, its gable roof has a gentle upward curve, and only the west face has a shaped head beam.
- How large is the Izumo Daijingu temizuya?
- It covers 6.2 square meters and is classed as a structure other than a building.
- Can visitors use the Izumo Daijingu temizuya?
- Yes. It is the working purification basin and can be seen at any time.
Basic Information
| Name | Izumo Daijingu Shrine Temizuya (出雲大神宮手水舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | Chitose Izumo (no lot number), Chitose-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure, other), registration No. 26-0622 |
| Year Designated | Registered February 4, 2021 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tiled roof, area 6.2 square meters |
| Owner | Izumo Daijingu Religious Corporation |
| Public Access | In use by worshippers; viewable at any time |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: Izumo Daijingu Temizuya (Agency for Cultural Affairs, in Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00013594
- Izumo Daijingu (Kameoka City Tourism Association, in Japanese)
- https://www.kameoka.info/seeing/izumodaijingu.php
Last verified: 2026.09.27
