A Granite Gate on the Steps
The Tarobogu Aga Shrine Middle Gate (太郎坊宮阿賀神社中門) is a gate built entirely of granite of 1934 in Owakicho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 10, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone gate with an area of 8.6 square metres; registration number 25-0437.
A Gate on the Landing
The Tarobogu Aga Shrine Middle Gate stands on a landing halfway up the lower flight of stone steps, south of the Ema Hall. It is an oblong gate open on all sides, built entirely of granite, with a gabled roof of curved stone slabs entered at the gable end (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Its inward-leaning round columns are tied by beams with carved ends and by girders, with a carved strut at the centre above the beam (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that, like the Fudo Myoo pavilion, it shows the high standard of stonemasonry of the early Showa era, and registered it as a structure that would not be easy to reproduce.
What to Look For
Look for the carved strut and beam ends, timber details translated into granite (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Aga Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on visiting hours or access was found. The shrine precinct as a whole is covered on the Tarobogu Aga Shrine group page.
Q&A
- When was the Middle Gate built?
- In 1934 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where is it?
- On a landing of the lower stone steps, south of the Ema Hall.
- What is it made of?
- Granite throughout.
- What is distinctive about it?
- Inward-leaning round columns tied by beams with carved ends, with a carved strut above.
- When was the Tarobogu Aga Shrine Middle Gate registered?
- On September 10, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Tarobogu Aga Shrine Middle Gate (太郎坊宮阿賀神社中門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2251 Owakicho, Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/09/10 (Reiwa 1) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone, 8.6 m² |
| Owner | Aga Shrine |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Tarobogu Aga Shrine Middle Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012954
Last verified: 2026.10.19
