branch shrine for him. Another important shrine dedicated to him is Dazaifu Tenman-gū. Shinmei shrines While the ritsuryō legal system was in use, visits by commoners to Ise were forbidden. With its weakening during the Heian period, commoners also started being allowed in the shrine. The growth of the Shinmei shrine network was due to two concomitant causes. During the late Heian period, goddess Amaterasu, worshiped initially only at Ise Grand Shrine, started to be re-enshrined in branch shrines in Ise's own possessions through the typical kanjō mechanism. The first evidence of a Shinmei shrine elsewhere is given by the Azuma Kagami, a Kamakura period text which refers to Amanawa Shinmei-gū's appearance in Kamakura. Amaterasu spread to other parts of the country also because of the so-called phenomenon, the belief that Amaterasu flew to other locations and settled there. Kumano shrines Kumano shrines enshrine the three Kumano mountains: Hongū, Shingū, and Nachi (the ). The point of origin of the Kumano cult is the Kumano Sanzan shrine complex, which includes (Wakayama Prefecture, Shingu), Kumano Hongu Taisha (Wakayama Prefecture, Tanabe), and Kumano Nachi Taisha (Wakayama Prefecture, Nachikatsuura). There are more than 3,000 Kumano shrines in Japan. Structure The following is a list and diagram illustrating the most important parts of a Shinto shrine: Torii – Shinto gate Stone stairs Sandō – the approach to the shrine Chōzuya or temizuya – place of purification to cleanse one's hands and mouth Tōrō – decorative stone lanterns Kagura-den – building dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance Shamusho – the shrine's administrative office Ema – wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes [[Setsumatsusha|Sessha/massha]] – small auxiliary shrines Komainu – the so-called "lion dogs", guardians of the shrine Haiden – oratory or hall of worship Tamagaki – fence surrounding the honden Honden – main hall, enshrining the kami On the roof of the haiden and honden are visible chigi (forked roof finials) and katsuogi (short horizontal logs), both common shrine ornamentations. The general blueprint of a Shinto shrine is Buddhist in origin. The presence of verandas, stone lanterns, and elaborate gates is an example of this influence. The composition of a Shinto shrine is extremely variable, and none of its many possible features is necessarily present. Even the honden can be missing if the shrine worships a nearby natural shintai. However, since its grounds are sacred, they are usually surrounded by a fence made of