A Concrete Shrine with Timber Eaves
The Orihime Shrine Main Buildings (織姫神社社殿, Orihime Jinja Shaden) are the reinforced concrete main buildings of Orihime Shrine in Nishimiyacho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, completed in 1937 and registered in 2004 as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single-storey concrete structure with a copper roof and a building area of 140 square metres, with a 29-metre openwork fence around the sanctuary. It was registered as a model of design.
The Agency describes a concrete shrine whose roof, from the rafters up, is built of timber, designed by Kobayashi Fukutaro.
Layout
According to the Agency, a hip-and-gable worship hall with a small dormer gable stands at the centre front, flanked by a portable-shrine house and an offerings room. Behind it are an offering hall with a two-sided roof and a gabled sanctuary with a porch.
Ashikaga City describes wings extending on either side of the central worship hall, a design said to be modelled on the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin in Uji, which earned it the name Dragon Palace on land.
What to Look For
Ashikaga City notes how the vermilion buildings stand out against the green hills. Look up from the foot of the great stairway to see the worship hall spreading its wings to either side.
Although built in concrete, the timber roofs from the rafters up keep the look of traditional shrine eaves. The openwork fence around the sanctuary is registered with the buildings.
Visiting the Main Buildings
Worshippers can pray before the buildings from outside. No information on access to the interiors could be found.
Directions, goshuin stamps and information on the whole precinct are on the Orihime Shrine group page.
Q&A
- When were the Orihime Shrine Main Buildings built?
- They were completed in 1937.
- How are the Orihime Shrine Main Buildings built?
- In reinforced concrete, with the roof from the rafters up in timber, covered in copper.
- Who designed the Orihime Shrine Main Buildings?
- The architect Kobayashi Fukutaro.
- How are the Orihime Shrine Main Buildings arranged?
- A central worship hall with side wings, and an offering hall and sanctuary behind.
- What were the Orihime Shrine Main Buildings called?
- A Dragon Palace on land, for a design said to be modelled on the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin, according to Ashikaga City.
Basic Information
| Name | Orihime Shrine Main Buildings (織姫神社社殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3889 Nishimiyacho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/6/9 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, single storey, copper roof, building area 140 square metres, with 29-metre openwork fence |
| Owner | Orihime Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Worship from outside |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Orihime Shrine Main Buildings (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004122
- Cultural Heritage Online: Orihime Shrine Main Buildings (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/169432
- Ashikaga City: Orihime Shrine (Japanese)
- https://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/education/000029/000169/000627/p000939.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28
