2013 Volume 78 Issue 694 Pages 2587-2595
Faith of Hikawa means Shinto religion for Hikawa God and Goddess, which is originated from the syncretization of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and his family with the deities of Minuma Lake and Arakawa River. Hikawa Shrines are spread around the basin of Arakawa and Motoarakawa Rivers.
This research is on the construction of Hikawa Nyotai Shrine in Midori Ward of Saitama City, which is dedicated for Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto (Hikawa Goddess). The main shrine (Honden) is said to have been constructed in 1667 with the evidence of Munafuda noting the date of construction. Its front shrine (Haiden) and hall of offerings (Heiden), however, were not determined of their construction date, because of the architectural details and historical documents written in 1688-89.
In 2011 and 2012, dismantling repair construction of the Shrine was carried out, and some facts became clear. Analyzing historical documents and pictures with these newly-revealed facts, this study estimated their most possible construction age.
