Taisha-zukuri

Kamosu Jinja'shondenand a granary at Toro

Taisha-zukuriorŌyashiro-zukuri(Đại xã tạo)is an ancient Japanesearchitectural styleand the oldestShinto shrinearchitectural style.Named afterIzumo Taisha'shonden(sanctuary), likeIse Grand Shrine'sshinmei-zukuristyle it features a bark roof decorated with poles calledchigiandkatsuogi,plus archaic features like gable-end pillars and a single central pillar (shin no mihashira).Thehonden'sfloor is raised above the ground through the use of stilts (see photo). Like theshinmei-zukuriandsumiyoshi-zukuristyles, it predates the arrival ofBuddhismin Japan.

History

Ancientshrineswere constructed according to the style of dwellings (Izumo Taisha)or storehouses (Ise Grand Shrine).The buildings hadgabled roofs,raised floors, plank walls, and werethatchedwith reed or covered withhinoki cypressbark.Such early shrines did not include a space for worship.Three important forms of ancient shrine architectural styles exist:taisha-zukuri,shinmei-zukuriandsumiyoshi-zukuri.They are exemplified byIzumo Taisha,Nishina Shinmei ShrineandSumiyoshi Taisharespectively and date to before 552.According to the tradition ofShikinen sengū-sai(Thức năm dời cung tế),the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.

Structure

Reconstruction model of the ancient Izumo-taisha honden, based on remains of old pillars found on the site.

Reconstruction of Izumo Taisha'shondensomewhat later, during theKamakura period

Izumo Taisha'shondenover time has gone through profound changes that have greatly decreased its size and changed its structure.In its present form, it is a gabled building 2x2kenin size, with an entrance on the gabled end (a characteristic calledtsumairi-zukuri(Thê nhập tạo).Like Ise Grand Shrine's, it has purely ornamental poles calledchigi(vertical) andkatsuogi(horizontal) on a cypress bark-covered roof, plus archaic features like gable-end pillars and a single central pillar (shin no mihashira(Tâm の ngự trụ)).This pillar has a diameter of 10.9 cm, has no obvious structural role and is believed to have had a purely religious significance.The external stairway is covered by an independent bark-covered roof (see illustration in the gallery).

Izumo Taisha'shonden

Thehonden'sinterior is a square divided into four identical sections, each covered by fifteentatami(straw mats). The floor plan has therefore the shape of the Chinese character for rice field(Điền),an element which suggests a possible connection with harvest propitiation rites.

Because its floor is raised above the ground, thehondenis believed to have its origin in raised-floor granaries like those found inToro,Shizuoka prefecture.

The oldest extant example oftaisha-zukuriis thehondenat Kamosu Shrine inMatsue, Shimane prefecture,built in 1582 and now declared aNational Treasure.Smaller than Izumo Taisha's, it nonetheless has thick supporting pillars. It is deeper, has a higher floor, and differs significantly from Izumo Taisha's. It probably represents an older style of construction.

Gallery

• 
  Front and side view of Izumo Taisha'shonden
• 
  Thehondenis visible in the background
• 
  Roofs at Izumo Taisha

References

• History and Typology of Shrine Architecture,Encyclopedia of Shinto accessed on November 29, 2009
• Fujita Masaya, Koga Shūsaku, ed. (April 10, 1990).Nihon Kenchiku-shi(in Japanese) (September 30, 2008 ed.). Shōwa-dō.ISBN4-8122-9805-9.
• Kishida, Hideto (2008).Japanese Architecture.READ BOOKS.ISBN978-1-4437-7281-5.Retrieved2009-11-11.,
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004].The art of Japanese architecture.Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN978-0-8048-3838-2.Retrieved2009-11-11.