平賀神社
4976 Komazaike, Hiraga, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture
The shrine is located on a small hill near the road leading to Uchiyama Gorge, on the southern side of Saku City.
Nearby, you can find Sakujōyama Elementary School, and the Tomioka Highway continues toward Uchiyama Gorge.
It is said that the shrine was founded in 1193 by the Hiraga clan, who ruled the Saku area, by enshrining deities from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
Initially called Hachimangu, it received the title of "Sōsha" (general shrine) for the Hiraga district from the Yoshida family of Kyoto in 1740.
The stone *myōjin* torii gate stands across the road, and a straight approach leads to the shrine.
The shrine building is located midway up a slope, accessible by climbing stairs, and the main hall is housed within a protective structure.
The architectural style is a three-bay *nagare-zukuri* (flowing style).
Deep carvings on the pillars and *nigirihari* decorations on the underside of the *engawa* (veranda) indicate the trend of increased ornamental carving during the late Edo period.
During the mid-Edo period, architectural elements like *mito* and *degumi* were used, and by the late Edo period, more complex elements like *mitedasuki* were added, as seen in this main hall.
Nearby, at Suwa Shrine in Naruse, Saku City, there are even more elaborate *gotesaki* brackets.
The *wabisashi* (decorative brackets) are ornamented with *warabite* motifs, a common feature in the Saku area.
Given the architectural techniques used, it is likely that local carpenters from the Saku area were involved in building this main hall.