What Is the Kada Family Residence Shrine?
The Kada Family Residence Shrine (加田家住宅社, Kada-ke Jūtaku Yashiro) is a small household shrine in Yabu-no-cho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, built in the early Showa period and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2007.
The Kada Family Residence Shrine stands in the northeast corner of the lot on a platform of stacked stone. It is a one-bay Nagare-zukuri shrine roofed in copper, with a building area of 1.1 m², and a stone torii stands in front of it.
Why the Kada Family Residence Shrine Was Registered
The Kada Family Residence Shrine was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property for its contribution to the historic landscape, under registration number 30-0108.
For all its tiny size, the Agency for Cultural Affairs rates its workmanship as technically excellent. The posts, bracket blocks and beams have broad chamfers, and the whole is built carefully of fine hinoki cypress.
What to Look for at the Kada Family Residence Shrine
The Kada Family Residence Shrine takes the misedana-zukuri form, a type of small shrine without a raised floor, in which a shelf-like platform across the front takes the place of a veranda. It is common for household and precinct shrines. Square posts rise from a sill and are tied together by Nageshi tie beams.
On top of the posts, Funahijiki boat-shaped bracket blocks carry the beams. The eaves have a single layer of closely spaced rafters, and the gable is framed with Inoko-sasu struts. Every member on this miniature has its counterpart on a full-sized shrine hall.
The broad chamfers soften the edges of the pale cypress and catch the light. Look closely and the finish turns out to be far finer than the size of the building would lead you to expect.
Visiting the Kada Family Residence Shrine
The Kada Family Residence Shrine is in the northeast corner of a private property and is not open to the public. Whether it can be seen from the street has not been confirmed. It is still a place of worship for the household, so please treat it with respect. Directions to the residence are on the page for the Kada Family Residence.
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Q&A
- What is the Kada Family Residence Shrine?
- A small shrine to the household deity, a one-bay nagare-zukuri shrine in the misedana-zukuri form, built of wood with a copper roof.
- Where is the Kada Family Residence Shrine?
- In the northeast corner of the property, on a stacked-stone platform, with a stone torii in front.
- How large is the Kada Family Residence Shrine?
- It has a building area of 1.1 m².
- Why is the Kada Family Residence Shrine valued?
- For its workmanship: the posts, bracket blocks and beams are broadly chamfered and carefully made of fine hinoki cypress.
- Can visitors worship at or see the Kada Family Residence Shrine?
- No. It stands on private residential land and is not open to the public.
Basic Information
| Name | Kada Family Residence Shrine |
|---|---|
| Location | 6 Yabu-no-cho, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2007 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 1.1 m² |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Kada Family Residence Shrine
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00006212
- Wakayama Prefectural Board of Education, Wakayama Cultural Heritage: Kada Family Residence (in Japanese)
- https://wakayama-bunkazai.jp/bunkazai/bunkazai-spot-341/
- Wakayama City Cultural Properties: Kada Family Residence (in Japanese)
- https://wakayamacity-bunkazai.jp/shitei/537/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
