One of the Rokusha six
The Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺六社天王社白糸天王社, Myōkyō-ji Rokusha Tennōsha Shiraito Tennōsha) is a one-bay shrine of 1895, fourth from the north in the Rokusha Tennosha south of the Reioden at Saijo Inari Myokyoji in Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2009/01/08. Its name, read Shiraito, means "white thread".
The Rokusha Tennosha, the "six Tenno shrines", are a row of six one-bay shrines of nearly identical size and form, set a little south of the Reioden buildings and running from north to south as Ichitomi, Yomori, Daigenki, Shiraito, Fukuyoshi and Fukusaki. The Agency for Cultural Affairs writes that the six, standing in an orderly line, create a solemn space.
A form repeated along the row
The Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine is a one-bay shrine with a nagare-style roof of cypress bark and a building area of 1.3 square metres, its sills on a rounded stone base over a cut-stone plinth.
Round columns are tied by tie beams at three levels and a thin plate, with three-part brackets, and the gables have a curved tie beam carrying an inverted-V strut. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it matches the Ichitomi and Yomori shrines in size and form, down to the details.
The three shrines of 1895 are separated by the Daigenki shrine of the later type. The Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine picks up the 1895 pattern again after that interruption.
What to look for, and visiting
The Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine is fourth from the north in the Rokusha row. It can be seen at any time, free of charge; the interior is not open.
Compare its gable with the Daigenki shrine to the north and you see the 1895 pattern, with its curved tie beam and inverted-V strut, return. Then look back to the Ichitomi and Yomori shrines to confirm the repetition. Opening hours and directions are on the Saijo Inari Myokyoji page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
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Q&A
- Where is the Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine?
- Fourth from the north in the Rokusha row south of the Reioden, just south of the Daigenki shrine.
- When was the Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine built?
- In 1895.
- What is the Shiraito shrine like?
- A one-bay nagare-style shrine with three-part brackets and gables framed by a tie beam and inverted-V strut.
- Is there another shrine like the Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine?
- Yes. The Ichitomi and Yomori shrines match it down to the details.
- How is the Shiraito shrine's name read?
- Shiraito, meaning "white thread".
Basic Information
| Name | Myokyoji Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine (妙教寺六社天王社白糸天王社) |
|---|---|
| Location | 712 Takamatsu Inari, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 33-0197 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2009/01/08 (Heisei 21) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, one-bay nagare-style cypress-bark roof; building area 1.3 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 Rokusha Tennosha Shiraito Tennosha Shrine
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007580
- 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
