The Oldest Shrine Hall in Tokushima Prefecture
The Ushihiko Shrine Main Hall (宇志比古神社本殿) is a three-bay nagare-style shrine hall of 1599 in Oasacho Otani, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 4, 2000 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a three-bay nagare-style hall with a copper roof, designated with 9 ridge tags; designation number 02389.
The Oldest Shrine Hall in the Prefecture
Ushihiko Shrine lies in the south-west of Naruto. Its founding and early history are unclear, but in the Edo period it was called Hachimangu and was revered locally, as it still is; it has used the name Ushihiko Shrine since the Meiji era (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The main hall, a three-bay nagare-style building with a copper roof, is thought from its ridge tags, details and techniques to date from 1599, and is believed to be the oldest shrine main hall in Tokushima Prefecture (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency designates this hall, varied in form, refined in detail and thought to be the oldest shrine hall in Tokushima Prefecture, as an Important Cultural Property together with 9 ridge tags.
A Varied and Distinctive Form
It is a large three-bay hall whose front aisle is floored with boards and joined to the verandas on both sides, with steps in the veranda levels, giving a varied and distinctive form (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The wood is left plain inside and out, but scrolling vines are painted on the beams of the outer sanctuary and pines on the board doors to the inner sanctuary. Ornament is sparse, yet the carved frog-leg struts, bracket fillers and beam-end noses are refined in design (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
Look for the stepped side verandas and the refined carving of the frog-leg struts and beam ends (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by Ushihiko Shrine (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official visiting information was found.
Q&A
- When was the main hall built?
- In 1599, judging from its ridge tags and style (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the name read?
- Ushihiko Jinja.
- Why is it important?
- It is thought to be the oldest shrine main hall in Tokushima Prefecture.
- What else is designated with it?
- Nine ridge tags.
- When was the Ushihiko Shrine Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On December 4, 2000 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Ushihiko Shrine Main Hall (宇志比古神社本殿) |
|---|---|
| Location | Oasacho Otani, Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 2000/12/04 (Heisei 12) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Three-bay nagare style, copper roof |
| Owner | Ushihiko Shrine |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Ushihiko Shrine Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3695
Last verified: 2026.10.20