Iwatateono-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Iwatateono-jinja is a Shinto shrine set in nature and built with raised floors that allow air to circulate underneath. The buildings feature steep, thatch-covered roofs, thick wooden pillars, and large wooden doors in a simple, functional design without external ornamentation.
The shrine was built many centuries ago in the shinmei-zukuri style, one of Japan's oldest shrine architectural traditions. This style originated from a period when buildings drew inspiration from palaces and storehouses, later evolving into a sacred space for the gods.
The shrine buildings display straight lines and a gabled roof that reflect this ancient building style. Visitors often notice the wooden logs called Katsuogi placed on the roof, which serve as both traditional decoration and weather protection.
The entrance is accessed via a small set of steps leading to large double doors that swing open. The raised floors and sloped roofs with long eaves help keep the interior dry and cool during rain and snow.
The entrance doors are carved from enormous pieces of old wood, some over 400 years old, which visitors notice upon entering. This rare construction style exists in only a handful of shrines like this throughout Japan.
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