The oldest of the registered shrines
The Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺秀義天王社, Myōkyō-ji Hideyoshi Tennōsha) is a one-bay shrine of 1870 on the west side of the Reioden, just south of the Suehiro Tennosha, at Saijo Inari Myokyoji in Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City; it was moved in 1979 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2009/01/08. It is one of the Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines.
It is the oldest of the registered subsidiary shrines, and among all 33 registered buildings only the bell tower of 1862 is older. At 0.47 square metres it is also the smallest. That the oldest shrine should be the smallest is part of the character of the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine.
Small, but made with care
The shrine is one bay wide under a nagare-style roof of cypress bark. A rounded stone base sits on a cut-stone plinth, and the timber sills rest on that.
Round columns carry bracket sets that step out once, with curved infill above and carved panels in the bays between. The gable is framed by a curved tie beam and a vase-shaped strut and projects forward.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine as small but carefully built, with carving placed at key points. Unlike the Taisho shrines covered in carving, it keeps ornament to the bays and the gable, and gains a quiet refinement from that restraint.
What to look for, and visiting
The Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine stands west of the Kyooden, just south of the Suehiro Tennosha. It can be seen at any time, free of charge; the interior is not open.
It is tiny, so go close and look in turn at the carved panels between the brackets and at the gable projecting on its tie beam and strut. Compare it with the Suehiro shrine to the north to see two early Meiji approaches to ornament. Opening hours and directions are on the Saijo Inari Myokyoji page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- How is the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine's name read?
- Hideyoshi.
- When was the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine built?
- In 1870, making it the oldest registered subsidiary shrine. It was moved in 1979.
- Where is the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine?
- On the west side of the Reioden, just south of the Suehiro Tennosha.
- How big is the Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine?
- Its building area is 0.47 square metres, the smallest of Myokyoji's registered buildings.
- What should I look at on the Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine?
- The carved panels between the brackets and the gable projecting on its curved tie beam and strut.
Basic Information
| Name | Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺秀義天王社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 33-0193 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/01/08 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, one-bay nagare-style cypress-bark roof; building area 0.47 square metres |
| Owner | Saijo Inarisan Myokyoji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior can be seen freely in the grounds (no charge); interior closed |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Myokyoji Hideyoshi Tennosha Shrine
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007576
- Okayama City — Modern Japanese-style architecture at Saijo Inari Myokyoji, by Yasukawa Mitsuru (Japanese)
- https://www.city.okayama.jp/kankou/cmsfiles/contents/0000005/5279/000179262.pdf
- Saijo Inari official site — Seventy-Seven Subsidiary Shrines (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/facility/250/
- Saijo Inari official site — Former main sanctuary, Reioden (Japanese)
- https://inari.ne.jp/facility/252/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
