The rare Christian chapel with features of Japanese temple or shrine
Today, I'd like to introduce the Christian chapel with features of Japanese temple or shrine. Although, it is based on traditional temple and shrine architecture, but also incorporates Christian motifs such as crosses and grapes, which are carved on the front beams and the ridge-end tile of roof, etc. Here is the chapel. It is located near the Hikone Castle in Hikone City, Japan. Its background and history is inscribed on the stone monument in the following photo. To summarize, it was built in 1931 by the American clergyman, Percy Almerin Smith, which was dedicated to the memories of his parents. In 1996, this chapel was on the verge of knock down due to road construction. But by the efforts of many citizens who wished to relocate and utilize it, the chapel was dismantled and each component was stored until reconstruction. Thanks to the united efforts of a great number of people including the Mayer of Hikone, the current Smith Memorial Hall was relocated and restored at this p
