A Simple Water Pavilion of About 1915
The Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion (長尾八幡宮手水舎, Nagao Hachimangū chōzuya) is a purification pavilion of about 1915 in the middle of the grounds of Nagao Hachiman Shrine, north of the approach, in Suo-Oshima Town, Oshima District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on December 3, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single-storey timber structure with a tiled roof and an area of 6.4 square metres; registration number 35-0130, owned by the religious corporation Nagao Hachiman Shrine.
Why It Was Registered
The Water Pavilion was registered as a structure contributing to the historic landscape of the country. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a simple pavilion with little ornament that nonetheless shapes the scene of the grounds.
What to Look For
It has a gabled pantiled roof. The posts stand on foundation stones, leaning inward on all four sides, and are tied by beam-shaped head ties; large bearing blocks and bracket arms sit on the plates, and the eaves have a single layer of widely spaced rafters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Turnip-shaped gable pendants hang at both gable peaks, a stone basin sits in the centre, and the underside of the eaves is left exposed (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Yamaguchi Prefecture notes that it stands at the top of the steps of the approach.
Visiting
Nagao Hachiman Shrine is a working shrine, and its buildings and torii can be seen from outside when visiting. No information on visiting hours or interior access has been published, so please be considerate of worshippers.
The shrine's history and the links between the nine structures are on the group page Nagao Hachiman Shrine.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Yamaguchi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion
- [ Kintaikyo Bridge & Hagi Castle Town Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Water Pavilion built?
- Around 1915 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Where does it stand?
- In the middle of the grounds north of the approach, at the top of the steps (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Yamaguchi Prefecture).
- How is it built?
- A gabled pantiled roof on inward-leaning posts, with large bearing blocks and bracket arms (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Is it decorated?
- Only with turnip-shaped gable pendants; overall it is plain (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion registered?
- On December 3, 2024, together with eight other structures of Nagao Hachiman Shrine.
Basic Information
| Name | Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion (長尾八幡宮手水舎) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2649 Jinnan, Nishi-Agenosho, Suo-Oshima Town, Oshima District, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2024/12/03 (Reiwa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber, tiled roof, area 6.4 square metres |
| Owner | Nagao Hachiman Shrine (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Shrine grounds (exterior visible when visiting) |
References
- Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00015253
- Nagao Hachiman Shrine Water Pavilion (Yamaguchi Prefecture cultural properties, Japanese)
- https://bunkazai.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/sp/bunkazai/summary.asp?mid=110254
Last verified: 2026.10.14
