新海三社神社
2329 Taguchi, Saku City
Shinkai Sansha Shrine, located in the former Usuda Town of Saku City, features a large torii gate at its entrance, with a lush grove growing up the mountain slope.
Ascending the stone steps of the approach, one first sees the haiden (worship hall) and the kagura hall beside it. The serene atmosphere allows for a tranquil viewing of the shrine buildings, which are made of plain wood and feature simple decorations, giving the impression of quietly sitting within the large grove.
Two Shrine Buildings Decorated with Vermilion and Carvings
The honden (main hall) of Shinkai Sansha Shrine consists of three shrine buildings lined up together. Unlike the plain wood haiden, the honden features magnificent vermilion and carvings.
The ichimon-sha (one-bay shrine) on the right is the Naka Honden (middle main hall). The cylindrical columns have horizontal beams called "nageshi," and detailed carvings of cranes, bamboo, and sparrows can be seen.
The gable decorations feature double rainbow beams and large sculptures of animals. The lateral screens have corridors but are not attached at the front. The main hall's door has a sacred pole and wooden steps, with intricate carved beams supporting the roof.
The left-side shrine, Nishi Honden (west main hall), has similar structural elements to the Naka Honden but with different artistic details, such as military fan-shaped carvings. The structure's design is akin to that of the Naka Honden.
A Nationally Important Cultural Property Retaining Muromachi Period Style
This honden, a one-bay nagare-zukuri style, has a high veranda. The ornamental ridge-end beams feature ancient design elements, suggesting some parts were later additions. The detailed carvings, including the traditional Japanese "turtle and crane" motifs, indicate its construction period dates back to the mid-Muromachi era.
The carvings on the main pillars include bamboo leaves, reflecting a stage of evolution in traditional patterns. The shrine's traditional style, blending Buddhist and Shinto architectural elements, further reinforces its historical significance.
The three-storied pagoda, originally part of Shinkai Sansha Shrine's temple, was left within the shrine's precincts after the Meiji Restoration's separation of Buddhism and Shinto. This pagoda is a testament to the integration of Buddhist architectural styles within Shinto complexes.
The foundation stones are natural stones, and the columns are circular, with multiple layers of beams and decorative brackets. The pagoda's unique style reflects local traditions, incorporating various elements of both Buddhist and Shinto architecture.
Notable features include the wooden nosings on each level, different decorative patterns for each story, and fan-shaped rafters extending outward. The intricate design elements highlight the artistic freedom exercised in its construction.
The interior of the first level features a low railing and no central pillars, with a ceiling design from later restorations. The structural details suggest a historical construction method that predates common practices, indicating the shrine's long history and architectural evolution.
| Location | 2329 Taguchi, Saku City |
|---|---|
| Website | None |
| Deities | Takeminakata-no-Mikoto, Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto |
| Naka Honden | Late 17th to early 18th century |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Kainyu Hachirobei and Seizaemon |
| Architecture Style | Ichimon-sha Nagare-zukuri, Iron Roof, One building |
| Nishi Honden | Late 17th to early 18th century |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Kainyu Hachirobei and Seizaemon |
| Architecture Style | Nimon-sha Nagare-zukuri, Iron Roof, One building |
| Higashi Honden | Important Cultural Property, Mid-Muromachi Period |
|---|---|
| Architecture Style | Ichimon-sha Nagare-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof, One building |
| Three-story Pagoda | Important Cultural Property, Eisho 12 (1515) Wind Bell Inscription |
|---|---|
| Architecture Style | Sangen-sanjun-to, Cypress Bark Roof, One building |