A Village Hall in the Katsuragi Mountains
The Kono Amida Hall (神野阿弥陀堂) is a village Buddhist hall of 1686 in Higashitani, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 5, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey timber hall with a thatched roof under temporary metal sheeting, covering 109 square metres, restored in 1992; registration number 30-0277.
A Three-Bay Hall in the Katsuragi Hills
The Kono Amida Hall faces south on the north side of a hamlet in the Katsuragi mountains: a three-bay hall under a hipped thatched roof, now covered with temporary metal sheeting (Agency for Cultural Affairs). A veranda runs all round, with posts carrying the eaves.
The core posts are round zelkova columns tied by curved head beams and topped with simple bracket arms, while the outer posts are heavily chamfered chestnut with boat-shaped bolsters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape, a valuable example of a village hall in northern Kii.
What to Look For
Notice the contrast between the round zelkova columns and the chamfered chestnut posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is owned by the Kono neighbourhood association, and no official information on access to the interior was found.
Q&A
- When was the Kono Amida Hall built?
- In 1686 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is Kono read?
- Ko-no (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What kind of roof does it have?
- A hipped thatched roof under temporary metal sheeting.
- Why is it valuable?
- It is an example of a village hall in northern Kii.
- When was the Kono Amida Hall registered?
- On December 5, 2019 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kono Amida Hall (神野阿弥陀堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1049 Higashitani, Katsuragi Town, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2019/12/05 (Reiwa 1) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, thatch under temporary metal sheeting, 109 m² |
| Owner | Kono Neighbourhood Association |
| Public Access | No official information on interior access |
References
- Kono Amida Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00013174
Last verified: 2026.10.18