By YASUHIDE KIDO/ Staff Writer
July 17, 2023 at 07:00 JST
ASO, Kumamoto Prefecture--The Romon gate of the Asojinja shrine here was unveiled in late June, restored to its former magnificence after being damaged in the Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016.
The gate had been shrouded with a protective scaffolding while reconstruction work was under way.
Five of the six structures the central government designated as important cultural properties have already been restored from damage sustained during the earthquake.
The shrine’s restoration project will be completed when all work on the Romon gate is completed in December.
The gate was taken apart into pieces after its collapse. Design drawings looked like a puzzle that helped put the repaired parts back in place.
It was a difficult project with no precedent as it required putting steel materials inside the structure to increase its earthquake resistance.
A nerve-racking situation ensued for workers even after the removal of the scaffolding began in May as they had to work with extreme caution not to drop even a single bolt, according to Shimizu Corp., which was commissioned for the project.
“If the roof had gotten scratched, we would have had no choice but to set up the scaffolding again and repair it,” said an on-site manager.
With the protective coverings removed, the Romon gate with its double roof stood tall under an overcast sky during the rainy season.
Copper plates on the roof shone soon after they were lined inside the scaffolding.
Although the color has become slightly subdued, none of the plates had a scratch on them.
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The Romon gate of Asojinja shrine in Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture, which is undergoing reconstruction after being damaged in the 2016 earthquake, is unveiled as steel frames surrounding the structure are removed on June 29. (Taken by Kazuhiro Nagashima using a drone)
