Properties 1

The Honden was originally constructed in 1619 as the main hall of Futarasan-jinja. It was relocated from its original location to the present location when a couple of accompanying halls were added in 1645. 

Though some replacement of materials has been done for maintenance purposes involving roofing, painting and decorative metal fittings, no changes have been made as far as structural members are concerned. As a result, the decorative parts of the hall still illustrate accurately the magnificent and elaborate workmanship of the original architectural style in all aspects from color schemes to lacquer work and sculpture.

The Haiden was first constructed in 1619 and reconstructed later in 1645 when the Honden was relocated to its present location. Since then it has not undergone any alteration except for roofing materials that have been replaced for maintenance purposes. In contrast with the Honden, this construction shows a simple and serene style without colored patterns or decorative engraving for ornamental effect -- the original style which theHaiden has retained since its foundation.

The Shinkyo, or the sacred bridge, is known to have existed already on the present site spanning the Daiya River in the Muromachi Period (according to remaining archival records) though the exact date of its construction is not clear. It was in 1636 that this bridge took on its present style as a vermilion-lacquered wooden bridge on massive stone piers piled down close to the riverbanks. Though demolished in a flash flood in 1902, it was reconstructed and restored to its 17th -century condition in 1904.

The Betsugu Takino-o-jinja Honden, as the shrine legend tells us, was founded back in 825. It was relocated to the present location in 1646 and was later remodeled in 1713. It was destroyed in 1941 by a falling tree broken by a storm, but it was soon reconstructed, reusing the surviving original structural members as much as possible. This building has a door at the back overlooking Mt. Nyohosan -- a unique feature provided for worship of this sacred mountain.

The Betsugu Hongu-jinja Honden is said to have originally been built in 808 and relocated to the present location in 850. Though this hall was burned to ashes twice in the past, it was immediately reconstructed each time to the original style. The Betsugu Hongu-jinja Honden that we see today is a 1685 reconstruction.

The Shin-yosha was built in 1617 originally as a temporary worship hall of Toshogu. It was later relocated twice (in 1638 and in 1641) before it was set in the present location. Although it is a simply-designed bare wood construction that is small in scale (with a 3-bay front and 2-bay sides), its significance is as great as any other building included in the nominated property; the Shin-yosha is the oldest remaining source of direct information about the architectural style used for Toshogu at its earliest stage of construction.