Hokoku Shrine is dedicated to the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (one of the three
unifiers of Japan in the 16th century) and his loyal aid Kato Kiyomasa.
The reason for building this structure is clearly stated in a letter by
Ankokuji Ekei, head monk of Ankokuji Temple. In 1587, Ekei asked Daiganji
Temple, the temple in charge of construction and repair work in Miyajima
including Itsukushima Shrine, to build a Buddhist library in which the
chanting of Senbu-kyo sutras could be held every month.
As there is no board ceiling or outer gate, it is believed that the
construction of the building was not completed.
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Senjokaku Pavilion seen from the east.
The shrine did not yet exist at the time of the Battle of Itsukushima in
1555 when the Mori clan defeated the Sue clan to unify the Chugoku
region.
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The headquarters of the Sue clan was located on this hill, which was
then called To-no-oka (Pagoda Hill).
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Starting in the Meiji era, the hill was developed through the
establishment of stone steps, among other additions.
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Senjokaku Pavilion seen from the south.
A piece of wood used as a measuring device in the reconstruction work of
the O-Torii in 1873 hangs on a pillar under the floor of the south part
of the shrine.
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Countless votive picture tablets that had been hanging on the walls of
Itsukushima Shrine buildings until the mid Meiji era decorate the
walls inside the hall.
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Interior of Senjokaku Pavilion.
The building is called Senjokaku (Hall of One Thousand Tatami Mats),
reflecting its standing as the largest structure on Miyajima Island.
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The shrine was a popular landmark in Miyajima where many people came
to relax and cool themselves and to buy popular souvenirs such as
tooth picks, and a variety of legends and traditions have been created
here.
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The fact that this structure, unique among the buildings belonging to
Itsukushima Shrine, is unpainted and that its exact date of founding
is recorded makes it a valuable gauge of the passage of time.
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The traces of weathering on its pillars and floor boards can be used
to determine the approximate age of any other wooden structure on
Miyajima.
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Altar.
Originally, Amida Buddha and two subordinate Buddhist saints, Anan and
Kasho-sonja, were enshrined in the Buddhist altar until the early Meiji
era.
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Since that time, however, the altar has been used in Shinto rituals. .
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See also
Source
Location
Itsukushima Shrine
Toyokuni Shrine Five-Story Pagoda
Daigan-ji Temple
Kurawanka Restaurant
Daisho-in Temple