The Agatsuma area has been a place of rivalry between various forces since the Middle Ages. Evacuees from war-torn areas sometimes drifted to the Akaiwa district, far from the highway.
In order to weave their own daily life, they created a place of modest prayer using materials they got from the neighboring villages. EIGO-NO-HAKO is a facility for self-initiated prayer cre-ted by war-displaced refugees. HAKO means a large container made of wood.
It is believed the building underwent renovations to enhance its structure, incorporating elements similar to those found in today’s fireproof buildings. These improvements enabled it to survive the Great Akaiwa Fire of 1803.