Izumo Shrine – Kiyonori Kikutake
Nestled in the remote coast of Shimane Prefecture, the Izumo Grand Shrine is Japan’s oldest Shintō shrine, dedicated to Ōkuninushi, the deity of marriage and creation. The current structures date from the mid‑18th century, but the shrine’s spiritual significance traces back much further.
In 1963, renowned Metabolist architect Kiyonori Kikutake designed the Administrative Building adjacent to the shrine. Crafted in post‑tensioned concrete, the design echoes traditional timber structures through its expression of ridge beams and “warehouses of the gods” forms. Its leaning walls are inspired by rice-drying racks, and its torii-like beam structure spans a 10 × 45 m interior—creating a sacred gateway within sacred precincts.
Although highly praised—winning multiple architectural awards and recognized by Docomomo for its Modern heritage—the building was controversially demolished in 2016 due to structural concerns
