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Some examples of Shinto architecture Shinto architecture is the architecture of Japanese Shinto shrines. With a few exceptions, the general blueprint of a Shinto shrine is Buddhist in origin. Before Buddhism, shrines were just temporary structures erected to a particular purpose. Buddhism brought to Japan the idea of permanent shrines and much of Shinto architecture's vocabulary. The presence of verandas, stone lanterns, and elaborate gates is an example of this influence. The composition of a Shinto shrine is extremely variable, and none of its possible features are necessarily present. Even the ''honden'' or sanctuary, the part which houses the ''kami'' and which is the centerpiece of a shrine, can be missing. However, since its grounds are sacred, they usually are surrounded by a fence made of stone or wood called ''tamagaki'', while access is made possible by an approach called ''sandō''. The entrances themselves are straddled by gates called ''torii'', which are therefore the simplest way to identify a Shinto shrine. A shrine may include within its grounds several structures, each destined to a different purpose.〔(The History of Shrines ), ''Encyclopedia of Shinto'', retrieved on June 10, 2008〕 Among them are the ''honden'' or sanctuary, where the ''kami'' are enshrined, the ''heiden'', or hall of offerings, where offers and prayers are presented, and the ''haiden'' or hall of worship, where there may be seats for worshipers.〔 The ''honden'' is the building that contains the ''shintai'', literally, "the sacred body of the kami". Of these, only the ''haiden'' is open to the laity. The ''honden'' is located behind the ''haiden'' and is usually much smaller and unadorned. Other notable shrine features are the ''temizuya'', the fountain where visitors cleanse their hands and mouth and the ''shamusho'' (), the office that supervises the shrine.〔 Shrines can be very large, as for example Ise Shrine, or as small as a beehive, as in the case of the ''hokora'', small shrines frequently found on road sides. Before the forced separation of Shinto and Buddhism (''Shinbutsu bunri''), it was not uncommon for a Buddhist temple to be built inside or next to a shrine or to the contrary for a shrine to include Buddhist subtemples.〔See Shinbutsu shūgō article〕 If a shrine was also a Buddhist temple, it was called a ''jingu-ji''. At the same time, temples in the entire country adopted tutelary kami ( and built temple shrines called ''chinjusha'' to house them.〔Mark Teeuwen in ''Breen and Teeuwen'' (2000:95-96)〕 After the forcible separation of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (''shinbutsu bunri'') ordered by the new government in the Meiji period, the connection between the two religions was officially severed, but continued nonetheless in practice.〔 ==The origin of shrines== The practice of marking sacred areas began in Japan as early as the Yayoi period (from about 500 BC to 300 AD) originating from primal Shinto tenets. Features in the landscape such as rocks, waterfalls, islands, and especially mountains, were places believed to be capable of attracting ''kami'', and subsequently were worshiped as ''yorishiro''.〔 Originally, sacred places may have been simply marked with a surrounding fence and an entrance gate or ''torii''.〔 Later, temporary buildings similar to present day portable shrines were constructed to welcome the gods to the sacred place. Over time the temporary structures evolved into permanent structures that were dedicated to the gods. Ancient shrines were constructed according to the style of dwellings (Izumo Taisha) or storehouses (Ise Grand Shrine).〔 The buildings had gabled roofs, raised floors, plank walls, and were thatched with reed or covered with hinoki cypress bark.〔 Such early shrines did not include a space for worship.〔 Three important forms of ancient shrine architectural styles exist: ''taisha-zukuri'', ''shinmei-zukuri'' and ''sumiyoshi-zukuri''〔 They are exemplified by Izumo Taisha, Nishina Shinmei Shrine and Sumiyoshi Taisha respectively and date to before 552. According to the tradition of '', 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.〔Presently only the Ise Grand Shrine is being rebuilt every 20 years.〕〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Shinto architecture」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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