Ise Shrine

in full Grand Shrine of Ise

Foremost Shint shrine in Japan, at Ise, in southern Honshu. The Inner Shrine (traditionally founded 4 BC) is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. The Outer Shrine (5th century), 4 mi (6 km) away, is dedicated to Toyuke Okami, god of food, clothing, and housing. At both shrines the main building is a thatched hut built in the ancient Japanese style of unpainted Japanese cypress (hinoki). A distinctive feature of Shinto architecture is the chigi, a scissor-shaped finial at the front and rear of the roof. Since the 7th century the buildings have been reconstructed every 20 or 21 years.

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