Sumiyoshi-zukuri (住吉造) is an ancient JapaneseShinto shrinearchitectural style which takes its name fromSumiyoshi Taisha'shonden inŌsaka. As in the case of thetaisha-zukuri andshinmei-zukuri styles, its birth predates the arrival ofBuddhism inJapan.

Ancientshrines were constructed according to the style of dwellings (Izumo Taisha)^[1][2] or storehouses (Ise Grand Shrine).^[1][3] The buildings hadgabled roofs, raised floors, plank walls, and werethatched with reed or covered withhinoki cypress bark.^[3] Such early shrines did not include a space for worship.^[1] Three important forms of ancient shrine architectural styles exist:taisha-zukuri,shinmei-zukuri, andsumiyoshi-zukuri.^[4] They are exemplified byIzumo Taisha,Nishina Shinmei Shrine andSumiyoshi Taisha^[5] respectively and date to before 552.^[6] According to the tradition ofShikinen sengū-sai (式年遷宮祭), the buildings or shrines were faithfully rebuilt at regular intervals adhering to the original design. In this manner, ancient styles have been replicated through the centuries to the present day.^[2]

Thehonden on the grounds at Sumiyoshi Taisha has been designated as anational treasure on the grounds that it is the oldest example of this style of architecture.The four identicalhonden buildings that compose it are 4ken wide and 2ken deep and have an entrance under one of thegables (a characteristic calledtsumairi-zukuri (妻入造). The roof is simple, doesn't curve upwards at the eaves and is decorated with purely ornamental poles calledchigi (vertical) andkatsuogi (horizontal).^[7] The building is surrounded by a fence calledmizugaki (瑞垣), in its turn surrounded by another calledtamagaki (玉垣) (see image in the gallery).^[8] There is no veranda, and a short stairway leads to the door.

The interior is divided in two sections, one at the front (gejin (外陣)) and one at the back (naijin (内陣)) with a single entrance at the front (see floor plan in the gallery).^[8] The structure is simple, but brightly colored: supporting pillars are painted in vermilion and walls in white.

This style is supposed to have its origin in old palace architecture^[8] Another example of this style is Sumiyoshi Jinja, part of theSumiyoshi Sanjin complex inFukuoka Prefecture.^[8]

• 
  Thehonden
• 
  Thehonden'sfloor plan

• JAANUS,Shinmei-zukuri accessed on December 1, 2009
• History and Typology of Shrine Architecture, Encyclopedia of Shinto accessed on November 29, 2009
• Kishida, Hideto (2008).Japanese Architecture. READ BOOKS.ISBN 978-1-4437-7281-5. Retrieved2009-11-11.,
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004].The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved2009-11-11.

• Shinto architecture
• Sumiyoshi shrines
• Sumiyoshi-zukuri

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