Honda tarutama jinja

A style flourishing at the end of the Edo period

Located between Matsushiro in Nagano City and Ueda City, near Jizo Pass. The bright red torii stands out in the village surrounded by fields.

The red torii stands out against the lush green surroundings and is noticeable by the main road. Originally called Hachimangu, it was renamed Honda Tamadashi Shrine in 1864.

The shrine enshrines three deities: Hondawake no Mikoto, Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto, and Tamayori-hime no Mikoto. The shrine grounds include another red torii, a gabled worship hall, and a main hall surrounded by a cedar grove.

The main hall, in the nagare-zukuri style, features many carvings on the pillars and side screens, with motifs such as waves, carp, chrysanthemums, and mythical beasts. The vertical grooves on the pillars and large carvings of heroic tales are characteristic of the style that flourished at the end of the Edo period.

The vertical grooves on the pillars (goma-kara) and large carvings of heroic tales on the side walls and side screens reflect a style that flourished in the late Edo period.