香取神宮
1697 Katori, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture
Katori Jingu Shrine, located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, is known as the Ichinomiya of Shimousa. It, along with Kashima Jingu Shrine and Ikisu Shrine, forms the Three Great Shrines of the East, enshrining Futsunushi no Kami.
A large myojin torii stands at the entrance, and a long path lined with lanterns continues through the shrine grove.
At the end of the path stands the sōmon gate.
The wooden structures are painted red, and the white-painted walls stand out among the trees.
Turning right past the hand-washing basin, there is the rōmon gate, designated an Important Cultural Property. It was built in 1700 by the Tokugawa shogunate.
Inside are statues, with Takeuchi Sukune on the right and Fujiwara no Kamatari on the left.
Beyond the rōmon gate, the black-painted worship hall can be seen straight ahead.
With vibrant colors under the eaves and beams, the colorful decorations stand out against the overall black exterior.
The main hall, surrounded by a fence behind the worship hall, is in the ryōnagare-zukuri style.
Built at the same time as the rōmon gate, it was originally reconstructed every 20 years.
Ryōnagare-zukuri is not seen in Nagano Prefecture's cultural properties but can be found at Noto's Ichinomiya Keta Taisha, Itsukushima Shrine, and Matsuo Taisha.
Designated an Important Cultural Property, the main hall has a striking appearance.
Next to the current worship hall is the former worship hall, painted in bright red, contrasting with the current black structure.
It's enjoyable to compare the two buildings within the same grounds.
| Location | 1697 Katori, Katori City, Chiba Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Website | http://www.katori-jingu.or.jp/ |
| Deity | Futsunushi no Ōkami |
| Main Hall | National Important Cultural Property Year 1700 (Genroku 13) |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Three-bay Frontage Ryōnagare-zukuri Cypress Bark Roof |
| Rōmon Gate | National Important Cultural Property Year 1700 (Genroku 13) |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Irimoya-zukuri Copper Roof |