A Main Hall of the Early Muromachi Period
The Kusabe Shrine Main Hall (日部神社本殿) is a shrine main hall of the early Muromachi period in Kusabe, Nishi Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 5, 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey hall three bays wide, three bays deep at the front and two at the back, gabled at the front and hip-and-gable at the rear; designation number 00680.
A Hall with Two Roof Forms
The Kusabe Shrine Main Hall in Kusabe, Nishi Ward, Sakai, dates from the early Muromachi period and was designated in 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The shrine's name is read Kusabe.
It has an unusual form, gabled at the front and hip-and-gable at the back, with a different number of bays front and rear (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Sakai City the shrine is at 262 Kusabe, and it also owns a stone lantern inscribed with the date 1369, itself an Important Cultural Property.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
It was designated early as a main hall of the early Muromachi period that combines two roof forms (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the roof that combines a front gable with a rear hip-and-gable (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Sakai City notes that a replica of the stone lantern, now kept in a storehouse, stands to the right of the main hall.
Visiting
The hall stands in the shrine precinct, and its exterior can be seen within the grounds. No official information on interior access or visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the Kusabe Shrine Main Hall built?
- In the early Muromachi period, between 1333 and 1392 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is the Kusabe Shrine Main Hall?
- At Kusabe Shrine in Kusabe, Nishi Ward, Sakai, Osaka Prefecture.
- What should I look for?
- The roof, gabled at the front and hip-and-gable at the back.
- Can I visit the Kusabe Shrine Main Hall?
- The exterior can be seen within the shrine grounds.
- When was the Kusabe Shrine Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On April 5, 1917 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kusabe Shrine Main Hall (日部神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kusabe, Nishi Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1917/04/05 (Taisho 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three bays wide; three bays deep at front, two at rear; gabled front, hip-and-gable rear |
| Owner | Kusabe Shrine |
| Public Access | Exterior visible within the precinct |
References
- Kusabe Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/2131
- Stone lantern of Kusabe Shrine (Sakai City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.sakai.lg.jp/kanko/rekishi/bunkazai/bunkazai/shokai/bunya/kougeihin/ishidoro.html
Last verified: 2026.10.15