“AKASHI DOU” is a hall worshiping “HORIJIROU MASATOSHI”, who invented “OJIYA CHIJIMI”. “HORIJIROU MASATOSHI” was born in “HARIMA NO KUNI AKASHI HAN” in 1620. He moved to “YAMAYA MURA” in Ojiya and lived there with his family. He improved hemp fabric “ECHIGO ASA NUNO” and made “OJIYA CHIJIMI” the principal product of this area.

The hall “AKASHI DOU” was built for the founder “AKASHI JIROU” (his other name) of “OJIYA CHIJIMI” by textile manufacturers in 1848. The floor of the building is higher than the usual height (raised-floor-style) to avoid damage from heavy snow. Fantastic carvings made by “YANAGIDA SYOUXZAEMON” give the hall splendor. You can enter “AKASHI DOU” to see these colored carvings during rites and festival held on 12^th of September every year.

“AKASHI DOU” has been protected and preserved by many fabric manufacturers and now by “OJIYA ORIMONO DOUGYOU KYOUDOU KUMIAI”. “AKASHI DOU” is designated as a cultural property by Ojiya city.

参考：小千谷市ホームページ

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