下黒田諏訪神社
2346 Kamigo Kuroda, Iida City
Suwa Shrine in Iida City is known for its Kuroda Ningyo Joruri (puppet theater).
With a 300-year history, this puppet theater is designated as an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property by the nation.
Iida, located between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), was a place where the cultures of the east and west easily flowed in. Therefore, the area around Iida shows influences from regions like Mikawa.
Joruri, which came from the Kyoto area, was embraced in Iida, to the extent that people even sold their fields for the sake of the puppets.
Walking up the approach from the stone steps and passing through the Myojin Torii gate, the shrine grounds spread out.
To the right is the puppet theater, built in 1840, which is a fully two-story structure.
It features a unique design with no pillars at the front, using the principle of leverage known as Kikkobari.
The age, scale, and mechanisms of this puppet theater make it valuable from an architectural history perspective.
Behind the gabled worship hall is the main hall enclosed within an outer structure.
Built in the Edo period, the main hall is an Ichimon-sha Nagare-zukuri style building and is designated as a City Cultural Property.
The dragon carvings on the beams under the front porch and the detailed decorations on the side panels are notable.
| Location | 2346 Kamigo Kuroda, Iida City |
|---|---|
| Website | None |
| Puppet Theater | Tenpo 11 (1840) |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | 8 Ken wide by 4 Ken deep, fully two-story, tiled roof, deki-zukuri |
| Main Hall | Designated as a City Cultural Property Keio 1 (1865) |
| Architectural Style | Ichimon-sha Nagare-zukuri, copper roof |