A Genroku-Era Shrine Hall at Yahiko
The Yahiko Shrine Tobashira Auxiliary Shrine Building (弥彦神社境内末社十柱神社社殿) is the hall of the Tobashira auxiliary shrine in the grounds of Yahiko Shrine, Yahiko Village, Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture, built in 1694 in the mid-Edo period, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 13, 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency reads the name Tobashira, while the shrine and Niigata Prefecture give Tohashira.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a hall three bays square, single-storey, with a hip-and-gable thatched roof entered from the gable end (tsumairi) and a one-bay board-roofed porch; designation number 00699, owned by Yahiko Shrine.
From Goshogu to Tobashira Shrine
According to an article by Niigata Prefecture's Sanjo regional office, the shrine began in 1694, when 牧野忠辰, third lord of the Nagaoka domain, founded a new shrine in the grounds of Yahiko Shrine, combining four spirits linked with the Makino family and an existing auxiliary shrine to Onamuchi, and called it the Goshogu.
The same article says that the deities of the 石湊 Shrine, built in 1870 to pray for the success of the Okozu flood-channel works, were moved to Yahiko Shrine in 1873, and all but the great deity of Yahiko were placed in the Goshogu. In 1875 the four Makino spirits were removed, and the shrine, now honouring ten deities, was renamed Tobashira ("ten pillars"). The shrine describes the ten as Onamuchi and the deities of mountains, rivers, grasses and trees (Yahiko Shrine).
Why It Was Designated
The Yahiko Shrine Tobashira Auxiliary Shrine Building was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1917. Yahiko Shrine says its main halls were rebuilt in 1916 after a fire at the end of the Meiji period; amid them, the Tobashira hall preserves a building of 1694 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
The three-bay-square hall has a thatched hip-and-gable roof entered from the gable end, with a one-bay porch roofed in boards (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Niigata Prefecture describes it as plain but full of historic atmosphere.
According to Niigata Prefecture, eight subsidiary and auxiliary shrines, including Tobashira, stand together here.
Visiting
The Tobashira Shrine stands in the grounds of Yahiko Shrine, which are open to worshippers. No opening of the interior has been announced, so the hall is seen from outside. Visiting details for Yahiko Shrine as a whole are in the group article.
The location is Yahiko, Yahiko Village, Nishikanbara District (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Enquiries go to Yahiko Shrine (0256-94-2001).
Q&A
- When was the Tobashira Shrine hall built?
- In 1694 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is 十柱神社 read?
- The Agency gives Tobashira Jinja; the shrine and Niigata Prefecture give Tohashira Jinja.
- Who is enshrined there?
- Ten deities, beginning with Onamuchi, and the deities of mountains, rivers, grasses and trees (Yahiko Shrine).
- What links it to the Okozu flood channel?
- Deities enshrined in 1870 to protect the channel works were moved here in 1873 and became the shrine's deities (Niigata Prefecture).
- When was the hall designated?
- On August 13, 1917.
Basic Information
| Name | Yahiko Shrine Tobashira Auxiliary Shrine Building (弥彦神社境内末社十柱神社社殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Yahiko, Yahiko Village, Nishikanbara District, Niigata Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1917/08/13 (Taisho 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 3 by 3 bays, single storey, hip-and-gable roof, gable entrance, thatched, one-bay board-roofed porch |
| Owner | Yahiko Shrine |
| Public Access | Shrine grounds open (exterior viewing) |
References
- Yahiko Shrine Tobashira Auxiliary Shrine Building (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/646
- Subsidiary and auxiliary shrines (Yahiko Shrine, Japanese)
- https://www.yahiko-jinjya.or.jp/meguru/setumatusya/index.html
- Main sanctuary and worship hall (Yahiko Shrine, Japanese)
- https://www.yahiko-jinjya.or.jp/meguru/gosyaden/index.html
- Yahiko Shrine and the Okozu flood channel (Niigata Prefecture Sanjo regional office, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.niigata.lg.jp/site/miryokutankenki/2020kenoumiryokupjtoiletyahikohushigi.html
Last verified: 2026.10.14
