Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage
This convention deals with the protection of natural and cultural heritage
endangered by extinction or destruction caused by social or economic changes.
Its activities center mainly on the world heritage committee, established
through UNESCO by a group of countries. Presently (as of June 1995) 142 countries
have entered into the treaty.
Properties Registered on the World Heritage List in 1995
Itsukushima Shrine
1.Designation of the item: Itsukushima Shrine
2.Location: Hiroshima Prefecture, Saeki-gun, Miyajima-machi
3.Outline of the item
- (1) Heritage area
- Itsukushima Shrine, the sea in front and the forest behind it, including Mt. Misen, which are
integral parts of the shrine and contribute to its value. (Approx. 431.2 ha)
- (2) Buffer zone
- Itsukushima Island in its entirety and the sea area lying inside a line from Aza Nagahama
Konagiri Point, Miyajima-cho, to the north point of Oaza Onishi-cho Suishoyama, excepting the
heritage site itself. (A total of 2,634.3 ha)
- (3) Contents
- The items recommended for protection as cultural heritage
include the main building of the Itsukushima Shrine (Honden),
the hall of worship (Haiden), and 17 associated buildings organized
under the "Heiden", and the three items large Torii (shintoistic gate),
5-storied pagoda and Tahoto pagoda. (Six building have been designated
national treasures, 11 buildings and the 3 other structures have been
designated important cultural treasures.) Combined with these cultural
heritage items the area including the sea in front of the shrine and
Mt. Misen forming the background for the shrine, which determine the
value of this piece of heritage, have also been included.
The group of buildings of the Itsukushima shrine has been erected
and spaced according to a certain, clear concept in a harmonic and
unified fashion, where the group of shrine buildings form, combined
with its vicinity, a historical structure. Each of the buildings is
of outstanding architectural style.
The group of shrine buildings of the Itsukushima shrine stands in
front of the deep green of the sacred Mt. Misen and viewed from the
sea the appearance of the brightly vermilion painted group of religious
buildings creates a unique scenery of unparalleled scale of concept.
Previous Page
Cultural Division
Hiroshima Prefecture
E-Mail:bunka@pref.hiroshima.lg.jp