A "Shrine Carpenter" is a carpenter who specializes in building temples and shrines.
They were formerly called "Temple and Shrine Carpenters," but when Shinto and Buddhism were separated in the Meiji period (1860s) and the anti-Buddhist movement began, "Temple" was removed from the name and they became "Shrine Carpenters."
Amongst themselves they said "Building a mere house degrades one," and when they did not have a building contract they would work in farming or the like and with only limited site experience, refined their technique and skill.
There were carpenters who only served one shrine and special techniques, methods and ways of mystic construction were passed on to that Master Builder.
This photograph is of the framework, with the carpenters lined up and the Master Builders at the center.
As in the picture, they wore white clothing and a court hat for the framework-raising ceremony, but in old times, they would wear white clothes during work as well, as it was said that "A carpenter must worship the gods and Buddha."
While this dress expressed piety, it may have also been a way for Shrine Carpenters to assert their pride and skill before others.
Note
The full title of this note is "Temple and Shrine Carpenters".
Shrine Carpenters (File)
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Shrine Carpenters | |
| |
| Kanji | 宮大工と呼ばれる人々 みやだいく と よばれる ひとびと |
| Game | Fatal Frame III: The Tormented |
| Author | Unknown |
| Chapter | Hour VIII: The Vacant Dream |
| Located at | Miku's Room |
| Obtained | From Miku |
| Description | A book Miku found on folklore. It appears to have photographs resembling those taken in the dream. |
| Additional Description | This might have some connection to that photo of the Shrine Carpenter. |
| Related Notes | Carpenters Spirited Away |
「宮大工」とは、寺社仏閣などを建立する
専門の大工達のことである。
かつては「寺社番匠」と呼ばれていたが、
明治の神仏分離、廃仏毀釈を境に「社」よ
り上に位置されていた「寺」を無くし、
「宮大工」と呼ばれるようになった。
彼等の間では「民家を建てては穢れる」と
言われ、建築の依頼が無い合間は農作業な
どをしつつ、少ない現場経験で特殊な技法、
腕を磨いていく。
一つの寺社専門に仕える大工たちもあり、
その木工頭（棟梁）には、特別な技法や工
法、呪術的な建築技法なども伝わっている
ことがあるという。
写真は棟上時に撮影されたもので、木工頭
を中心に、施工に関った宮大工たちが並ん
で写っている。
写真のような白装束、鳥帽子姿は、棟上式
などの祭事用に着用されたものであるが、
かつては「神仏を崇めずして寺社番匠では
無い」として、建設作業もこのような装束
で行われていたという。
その姿には信仰心という側面もあるが、宮
大工としての誇りや腕を人々に見せるとい
う側面もあったと思われる。