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本殿Honden (main sanctuary)

Honden (main sanctuary)
Yoshiichi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Shinto shrine architecture, the honden (本殿, main hall), also called shinden (神殿), or sometimes shōden (昇殿) as in Ise Shrine's case, is the most sacred building at a Shinto shrine, intended purely for the use of the enshrined kami, usually symbolized by a mirror or sometimes by a statue. The building is normally in the rear of the shrine and closed to the general public. In front of it usually stands the haiden, or oratory. The haiden is often connected to the honden by a heiden, or hall of offerings.

Text from Wikipedia: Honden — CC BY-SA 4.0. Read more on Wikipedia →

見Where to see it

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問Questions visitors ask

What is Honden (main sanctuary)?

In Shinto shrine architecture, the honden (本殿, main hall), also called shinden (神殿), or sometimes shōden (昇殿) as in Ise Shrine's case, is the most sacred building at a Shinto shrine, intended purely for the use of the enshrined kami, usually symbolized by a mirror or sometimes by a statue.

Where can I see Honden (main sanctuary)?

Places on Torii Guide where it is mentioned include: Kasuga Taisha.

社At a shrine

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