Sumiyoshi-zukuri

Ancient shrines were constructed according to the style of dwellings (Izumo Taisha)[1][2] or storehouses (Ise Grand Shrine).[1][3] The buildings had gabled roofs, raised floors, plank walls, and were thatched with reed or covered with hinoki cypress bark.[3] Such early shrines did not include a space for worship.[1] Three important forms of ancient shrine architectural styles exist: taisha-zukuri, shinmei-zukuri, and sumiyoshi-zukuri.[4] They are exemplified by Izumo Taisha, Nishina Shinmei Shrine and Sumiyoshi Taisha[5] respectively and date to before 552.[6] According to the tradition of Shikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), 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.[2]

The honden on the grounds at Sumiyoshi Taisha has been designated as a national treasure on the grounds that it is the oldest example of this style of architecture. The four identical honden buildings that compose it are 4 ken wide and 2 ken deep and have an entrance under one of the gables (a characteristic called tsumairi-zukuri (妻入造). The roof is simple, doesn't curve upwards at the eaves and is decorated with purely ornamental poles called chigi (vertical) and katsuogi (horizontal).[7] The building is surrounded by a fence called mizugaki (瑞垣), in its turn surrounded by another called tamagaki (玉垣) (see image in the gallery).[8] There is no veranda, and a short stairway leads to the door.

The interior is divided in two sections, one at the front (gejin (外陣)) and one at the back (naijin (内陣)) with a single entrance at the front (see floor plan in the gallery).[8] The structure is simple, but brightly colored: supporting pillars are painted in vermilion and walls in white.

This style is supposed to have its origin in old palace architecture[8] Another example of this style is Sumiyoshi Jinja, part of the Sumiyoshi Sanjin complex in Fukuoka Prefecture.[8]

• 
  The honden
• 
  The honden's floor plan

• JAANUS, Shinmei-zukuri accessed on December 1, 2009
• History and Typology of Shrine Architecture, Encyclopedia of Shinto accessed on November 29, 2009
• Kishida, Hideto (2008). Japanese Architecture. READ BOOKS. ISBN 978-1-4437-7281-5. Retrieved 2009-11-11.,
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004]. The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved 2009-11-11.