INTRODUCING TAIWAN HINOKI INTO SHRINE ARCHITECTURE IN PREWAR MAINLAND JAPAN (PART 1) : ANALYSIS OF SHRINE CARPENTRY OFFICE’S ADVERTISEMENTS PUBLISHED IN THE SHINTO ASSOCIATION JOURNAL

The introduction process of Taiwan Hinoki into Shinto shrine architecture in prewar mainland Japan can be traced by analyzing the Shrine Carpentry Office’s advertisements published in the Shinto Association Journal. We consulted the memoirs of the Office’s founder Ashizu Kōjirō and found the key figures involved the introduction as well as the ideas behind. We highlighted two key innovations, (1) the introduction of the water seasoning drying technique, and (2) the establishment of a rationing system, in both the Office played an important role.