The Main Hall of Ikuwa Shrine
The Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall (生和神社本殿) is a one-bay nagare-style shrine main hall of the early Muromachi period (1333 to 1392) in Tobaotsu, Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on July 31, 1902 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a one-bay nagare-style hall roofed in cypress bark, with 2 ridge tags designated alongside it; designation number 00239.
The 1902 date in the Agency record is that of its designation under the former law.
A Main Hall of the Early Muromachi Period
The Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall is a nagare-style hall one bay wide, roofed in cypress bark (Agency for Cultural Affairs). In the nagare style, the front slope of a gabled roof runs on to cover the area before the sanctuary.
The Agency's commentary dates the present main hall to the early Muromachi period. Two ridge tags are designated with it.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency lists this one-bay nagare-style hall of the early Muromachi period as an Important Cultural Property. The Kasuga branch shrine in the same precinct is smaller but older in form and technique, and is thought to predate the main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the long front slope of the nagare-style roof and its cypress-bark eaves (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Comparing it with the Kasuga branch shrine nearby brings out the differences in form.
Visiting
The hall is owned by Ikuwa Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on access to the interior was found.
Q&A
- When was the Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall built?
- In the early Muromachi period, between 1333 and 1392 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What style is it?
- A one-bay nagare-style hall roofed in cypress bark.
- What else is designated with it?
- Two ridge tags.
- Where is Ikuwa Shrine?
- In Tobaotsu, Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture.
- When was the Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On July 31, 1902 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall (生和神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Tobaotsu, Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1902/07/31 (Meiji 35) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | One-bay nagare style, cypress-bark roof |
| Owner | Ikuwa Shrine |
| Public Access | No official information on interior access |
References
- Ikuwa Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/1446
Last verified: 2026.10.19
