Honden (The main hall)


The Mishima Shrine is called "Ichinomiya" of Izu city.
In Japan, there are several class of shrines; the "Ichinomiya" is the highest class in the region, "Ninomiya" is the second class and "Sannomiya" is the third one.
The year of its foundation is not clear.
Although there is a record of its foundation in "Nihonshoki (the oldest chronicles of Japan)" written in 720, however the actual foundation is probably older than this record.
The current main hall was rebuilt in 1866 because the original one was destroyed by the "Tokai earthquake (M8.4 / Japanese earthquake scale 7)" on November 4, 1854.
The priest of Mishima Shrine, Seiji Yatabe, solicited contributions rebuild to the main hall.
Seiji Yatabe, in addirion to request for reconstruction assistance from the Edo government, asked for donations from the lord of Numazu castle, "Mizunodewa", the lord of Odawara castle, "Kaga" and the administrator of Nirayama, "Egawa Tarozaemon".
The main hall is in the architectural style of "Nagare-zukuri*" and "Sokeyaki-shirakizukuri**".
It is one of the biggest main halls in Japan and consists of "Haiden (hall of worship)" and "Heiden (hall of offerings)".

(*1) "Nagare-zukuri" is the most common shrine style in Japan.

The long roof of the main entrance projects from the front and is asymmetrical when seen from the side view.

(*2) "Sokeyaki-Shirakizukuri" is a style of building using Zelcova wood without paint.
"Haiden" is the hall of worship.

"Heiden" is the hall of offering and stands between the main hall and the hall of worship.

There are many beautiful sculptures and features in the Main Hall, Haiden (hall of worship) and Heiden (hall of offerings).
The premier master craftsmen in Japan made these sculptures.
One of the most significant designs is the relief, "Amaterasokami(Sun God) emerging from Amenoiwado(a rock cave)"; The Sun God who lost her temper locked herself in a rock cave.
This relief is featured on the Kaerumata.

Kaerumata* is usually on the top of Kasiranuki**or Hari*** (beams), or between Keta**** in Shinto's architecture.

Originally Kaerumata was designed support the weight of the superstructure, but later became a decoration.

(*1) "Kaerumata" is wooden decoration in the form of a mountain.

(*2) "Kasiranuki" is a beam connectiong the top of the pillars.

(*3) "Hari" is another beam between the pillars to support the weight of the building.

(*4) "Keta" is the wood on the pillars and stanchions and at right angles to them in order to support the upper part of the structure.
The painting of "Amaterasokami(Sun God) emerging from Amenoiwado(a rock cave)" is based on the myth written in "Koziki" which is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan.
This painting represents a scene, return of the Sun God.
Because the Sun God hid herself in the rock cave, the world was turned dark and many calamities occurred.
When the Sun God retuned to the world from the cave, people became happy and returned to their peaceful lives.
On the reverse side of this relief, there is another one called "Figure of Takasago".
It is a carved figure of an old man and woman with a rake and a broom.
The relief on the facade of the main hall symbolizes "peace for the country" and the picture on the back symbolizes "peace for life".
The architectural design of these 3 halls at Mishima Shrine, such as main hall, the hall of offerings and the hall of offering, represents the style of the Edo era.
They became one of the most important cultural properties in May 25th, 2000.