Arched Stone Bridge

Period:

1901

Former Location:

Shinmyo, Kokubunji, Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture

Designation:

Registered Tangible Cultural Property

From the Konpira Kaido road to Shikoku Mura

This bridge was one on the Konpira Kaido (*1) in Kagawa Prefecture, and was donated along with a stone warehouse when a prefectural route was widened. It is built from hornblende andesite (*2) stone mined from Mt. Takano in Kokubunji, the bridge’s former location, and is 3 meters long, 4.5 meters wide, and 3 meters high. It is also called Taiko Bridge, because with its reflection in the water it looks like a taiko drum. Be sure to look at the keystone (*3) on each side. One has a lion and peony pattern, while the other has a carp climbing a waterfall. Both were originally painted in color.

Engraving

This keystone bears an engraving saying that the bridge was built in Meiji 34 (1901) by stonemason Toshio Yojiro and Yonekichi.

*1 Konpira Kaido: A highway connecting various areas to famous Konpira Shrine (in Kotohira, Nakatado, Kagawa Prefecture) built to serve pilgrims. 
*2: Hornblende andesite: A type of igneous rock containing hornblende. 
*3 Keystone: The specially shaped block at the top of an arch used to support the whole structure.