Izumo Daijingu Shrine Kami-no-Yashiro Main Hall

What Kami-no-Yashiro Is

The Izumo Daijingu Shrine Kami-no-Yashiro Main Hall (出雲大神宮上之社本殿, Izumo Daijingū Kami-no-Yashiro Honden) in Chitose-cho, Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture, is the sanctuary of a subsidiary shrine within the grounds, built in 1813 and registered as a Tangible Cultural Property on February 4, 2021.

Kami-no-Yashiro means the upper shrine. The building is a one-bay Nagare-zukuri sanctuary with an antechamber and a front porch (Kōhai), timber, 25 square meters. The shrine says it is dedicated to Susanoo and his wife Kushinadahime, and that the date 1813 is inscribed on the metal finials of its railing.

The Izumo Daijingu Kami-no-Yashiro main hall stands on the wooded slope of Mount Mikage, east of the main hall.

Why It Was Registered

Kami-no-Yashiro is one of only two of the twelve registered structures listed under the criterion of serving as a model of form, with registration number 26-0625. Most of the others were registered for their contribution to the landscape; this one was chosen for its design.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a subsidiary shrine that follows the main hall's distinctive plan at reduced size. The shrine adds that a one-bay building with a porch copied from the main hall is an unusual combination.

Comparing It with the Main Hall

A railed veranda (Kōran) runs round three sides of the Izumo Daijingu Kami-no-Yashiro main hall, with side screens set in line with the ridge and wooden steps at the front.

The antechamber forms an outer sanctuary, latticed at the front with slatted windows (Renji-mado) on the sides, and the core is divided into inner and innermost sanctuaries. The same outer, inner and innermost sequence governs the three-bay main hall below.

The Agency's own records disagree on the roofing: the structure field says copper, the description says sheet iron. Both are noted here.

Visiting Kami-no-Yashiro

The Izumo Daijingu Kami-no-Yashiro main hall is reached by a path climbing east of the main hall. Going on to the rock seats on Mount Mikage requires registering at the shrine office, so ask there about the route and access conditions before you climb.

The interior is not open. The path is uneven in places, so wear sturdy shoes. General access is covered on the Izumo Daijingu Shrine page.