松尾大社
3 Arashiyama Miyamachi, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto
Matsuo Taisha, located in the Arashiyama area of Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, is also known as a shrine that enshrines the deity of sake brewing.
It is said that the shrine originally began by enshrining a sacred rock on Mount Matsuo behind the shrine.
The shrine buildings were constructed in 701 AD, and when the capital moved from Heijokyo to Nagaokakyo, the shrine was worshipped as a guardian deity of the imperial palace and came to be known as "the strict deity of Kamo, the fierce deity of Matsuo."
In front of Hankyu Matsuo Station, which runs parallel to Mozume Kaido, a large torii gate stands.
Proceeding along the paved approach path, a second torii gate stands, and the shrine grounds open up.
The two-story gate visible at the front is said to have been built in the early Edo period.
Guardian deities are enshrined on both sides of the gate, and many ladles are inserted. It is said that according to belief, by writing many wishes and displaying them, one will be saved, which is called "wish-granting ladles."
The structure has a heavy impression with three-tiered bracket sets, double rafters, and a hipped roof with curves, but it has a simple design with few carvings or colors.
The Kaguraden, built in front of the worship hall, is a thatched hipped roof structure.
There are concrete steps, and a veranda surrounds it, with the roof featuring rafters with curves.
Due to the season, New Year's decorations are placed at the front.
The worship hall, tsuridono (hanging hall), middle gate, and corridor in front of the main hall, along with the two-story gate, are said to be from the early Edo period.
The main hall, known as Matsuo-zukuri, was built in 1397 and underwent major repairs in 1542.
The main hall, built in the Ryōnagare-zukuri style, is only used in three shrines: Munakata Taisha, Itsukushima Shrine, and Matsuo Taisha, with Matsuo Taisha being the oldest among them.
The forward-facing eaves extend to the front and back, and verandas surround all four sides of the hall, but there are no side screens.
The carvings on the frog-leg struts and other features from the medieval period make it designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Next to the main hall, there are several shrines lined up, and Tsukuyomi Shrine is also placed as an auxiliary shrine a little away from the shrine grounds.
The four deities enshrined in the main shrine and auxiliary shrines, along with the Munakata, Itsukushima, Tsukuyomi, and four other deities, are collectively known as the Seven Shrines of Matsuo.
Location | 3 Arashiyama Miyamachi, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto |
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Website | http://www.matsunoo.or.jp/ |
Deities | Ōyamazumi-no-Kami, Nakatsushima-hime-no-Mikoto |
Main Hall | Important Cultural Property 1397 (Ōei 4) |
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Architecture Style | 3-bay width, 4-bay depth, Ryōnagare-zukuri |