A Small Purification Pavilion Built like the Shrine
The Orihime Shrine Temizuya (織姫神社手水舎, Orihime Jinja Chozuya) is a small reinforced concrete purification pavilion built in 1937 at Orihime Shrine in Nishimiyacho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, which in 2004 was registered 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 1.4 square metres; it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
A temizuya is where worshippers rinse their hands and mouth before praying. The Agency names Kobayashi Fukutaro as architect.
Structure
According to the Agency, it stands partway up the stone steps of the main approach, a level below the kagura hall and office. It runs north-south, 1.97 metres by 0.7 metres, with a gabled copper roof.
Like the main buildings, it is reinforced concrete with timber from the rafters up. Ashikaga City describes the roof as flat copper sheeting imitating shingles.
What to Look For
The Agency counts the pavilion, with the kagura hall and office, as part of Kobayashi Fukutaro's precinct plan. Small as it is, it shares the construction of the main buildings and helps unify the precinct.
It is the first registered building met on the climb. Compare its timber roof on a concrete frame with the main buildings above.
Visiting the Temizuya
The pavilion stands on the main approach and can be seen on the way to worship.
Directions and information on the whole precinct are on the Orihime Shrine group page.
Q&A
- When was the Orihime Shrine Temizuya built?
- In 1937.
- How big is the Orihime Shrine Temizuya?
- 1.97 metres by 0.7 metres, with a building area of 1.4 square metres.
- Where is the Orihime Shrine Temizuya?
- Partway up the stone steps of the main approach, below the kagura hall and office.
- How is the Orihime Shrine Temizuya built?
- Like the main buildings, in reinforced concrete with a timber gabled roof from the rafters up.
- Who designed the Orihime Shrine Temizuya?
- Kobayashi Fukutaro.
Basic Information
| Name | Orihime Shrine Temizuya (織姫神社手水舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3889 Nishimiyacho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2004/6/9 (Heisei 16) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Reinforced concrete, single storey, copper roof, building area 1.4 square metres |
| Owner | Orihime Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Seen on the main approach |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Orihime Shrine Temizuya (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004125
- Ashikaga City: Orihime Shrine (Japanese)
- https://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/education/000029/000169/000627/p000939.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28
