Failed attempt on this wood plaque

[John C]

Hello:

I picked this up to practice translating and failed miserably. Pic one I think is SADAMORI on the left and 1939 on the right but the middle has me stumped. Pic 2 has me completely baffled.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

John C.

[SteveM]

middle of top picture

参拝記念  visit to shrine commemoration

 

bottom picture is the gō and name of the carver. Can't quite read the gō 

翁？？堂

成子彫　（茂子彫？）Carved by Naruko? Shigeko?

[John C]

Thank you, Steve. I got the shi character, however the scratchy style cutting is difficult for me to even look up.

I appreciate it.

John C.

[Bugyotsuji]

What does the little sticker say?

[John C]

47 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said:

little sticker

Not sure because it's torn off. Google app can't read it either.

Here's the whole thing. I think the name on the front is probably the shrine name, however I haven't looked it up yet.

John C

[SteveM]

金刀比羅　Kotohira shrine in Kagawa Prefecture. 

The stamp is maybe a quality inspection stamp.

 

I should also say that obviously the "art name" looks like るま堂 (Rumadō), but I'm not full of confidence regarding the names.

[Bugyotsuji]

Not too sure if this applies here, but you can see Tai (sea bream), a symbol of good fortune, swimming in the rare saltwater moats of Takamatsu Castle not too far away. There are said to be only three castles in Japan using the sea for their defensive moats.

[Bugyotsuji]

Might just add that this was not an easy choice for Kanji practice! 

[John C]

That's great info, guys! Thank you! It gives me something to study. I have several sources of kanji, however I'm trying to figure out this scratchy style as well.

John C.