b) Description and inventory

A. Honsha The Honsha is the buildings compound of Itsukushima-jinja, the nucleus of the shrine composition constructed on the sea. Accessory buildings are arranged along the Higashi-kairo(east corridor) and the Nishi-kairo(west corridor) extending eastward and westward from both sides of the Haraiden (purification hall). The Honsha buildings, consisting of the Haraiden, Haiden (worship hall), Heiden (Hei hall), and main Honden (main hall), are positioned on the same axis as the Otorii (large shrine gate). As for the composition of the shrine buildings, the Haraiden projects lengthwise toward the sea, and the Haiden and Heiden are parallel structures set perpendicular to and further back along the central axis. The Haiden and Honden, connected by the Heiden, make up a single building form with an "H-shaped" roof. For that matter, the roof of the Haraiden is connected with that of the Haiden, covering the two individual buildings under one roof. The Honsha buildings were destroyed by a fire in 1224 and reconstructed in 1241; in the case of the Honden, however, for the reason that the building was profaned by an incident involving bloodshed in 1569, it was reconstructed again in 1571 by Mori Terumoto. Even though the buildings of the Honsha were reconstructed later, they are considered to maintain scrupulously the atmosphere of the shrine buildings reconstructed by Taira no Kiyomori in the Heian Period (794-1184). The buildings give a generally calm and elegant impression with the delicate lines of the generously spreading eaves, the soft roof surfaces, and the horizontal lines of the floors, nageshi (horizontal tie-beams) and kashiranuki (head tie-beams).However, to observe the individual members in detail, it can be seen that they are supported by thick, stout columns and kumimono (bracket systems) which make up the strong structural frames. The architectural characteristic of the Heian period (794-1184), or solidly assembled structures of the traditional architecture originating from the Nara Period (710-793), combined with graceful expressions, are married in one building. The raising of the eaves in the center (an architectural expression commonly used on main entrances in the Heian Period) is seen in the front of the Haraiden. In addition, the framing system, the kaerumata (frog-legged strut) shape, and the hafu (gable-board) curve are features exemplifying the Heian Period (794-1184). In front of the Haraiden lies the Hirabutai (ceremonial platform), which is connected with a board floor to the Higashi-kairo (east corridor) and the Nishi-kairo (west corridor) for access from other areas of Itsukushima-jinja. The Hirabutai projects toward the front, as if in the form of a peninsula, and near its root the Hidari-kadomarodo-jinja Honden and Migi-kadomarodo-jinja Honden are located on both sides, attached to the front of the Hirabutai, with the Sa-gakubo and U-gakubo arranged further outside. On the Hirabutai in front of the Haraiden is the Takabutai (stage) with vermilion-lacquered balustrades on four sides. The court dances performed on this stage were brought from the capital in the Heian Period (794-1184), and the Shinto priests of Itsukushima-jinja have preserved their form for more than 800 years.