Hitachi gods, the three shrines of Eastern Province, Ikusu Shrine

Ryosu Shrine - A mysterious shrine that transcends time and is woven by gods and nature

After the water-city atmosphere of Isoshi City, the journey to visit the three shrines of the Eastern Province continues. We visited Ikusu Shrine, a place where ancient faith lives. From the moment I stepped into the ground, I felt a sense of silence and sacred atmosphere, engulfed in a feeling of being washed.

Ikisu Shrine

Location: 2882 Isu, Kamisu, Ibaraki Prefecture

The deity

Kunato God: Also known as Doso God, he is a god who protects the boundaries of the village and prevents evil spirits from entering. It is said that it will benefit travel safety, traffic safety, and descendants' prosperity.

Amanotorifune: A deification of the ship that was said to have been used by the gods when traveling through the heavens. It is said that there is a benefit to traffic safety, travel safety, and good fortune.

Sumiyoshi Sanshin: It is said that there is a benefit to safe navigation, prosperity in fishing, and good fortune. They are the three gods: Uwatsutsu no Omikoto, Nakatsutsu no Omikoto, and Sototsu Tsutsuo no Omikoto.

The Nino Torii gate stands at the entrance to the shrine. Looking back, I saw a quiet torii gate standing a little further away. At the base of the torii gate is a Shinoshioi, which can be said to be the sacred object of Ikusu Shrine. Every time I pass through the torii gate, I feel like I'm stepping into the sanctuary from the secular world.

It also serves as the Ichino Torii gate and the Ichino Torii gate, south of Kashima Shrine.

What is particularly noteworthy is that this Ichino torii gate also serves as the Ichino torii gate, south of Kashima Shrine. Kashima Shrine enshrines Takemikazuchi Ogami, known as the god of martial arts, and has been revered since ancient times as the key to protecting the land. The fact that Kashima Shrine and Ikusu Shrine are connected through a torii gate suggests a deep relationship between the two shrines. When he learns this, his gaze as he looks up at the torii gate naturally changes to something pious.

A story told by Shinshioi, one of Japan's three sacred springs, a miraculous spring water

Shinoshioi is known as a famous water that is one of Japan's three sacred springs. It is said that pure fresh water has been gushing out of sea, not seawater, since the time when the shrine was once known as the "Katori Sea." This mysterious sight is the origin of the name Shinoshioi. When I witnessed the wonders of nature, "Fresh water gushing out of the seawater," I was so moved that I was speechless.

Shinoshioi has two wells called men's bottles in their right hand and women's jars in their left hand. It is said that if the bottles at the back of the well look clear, good fortune comes. I looked in and saw a bottle quietly standing at the bottom of the water. At that moment, joy erupted from deep inside my heart, foreshadowing a future filled with hope.

The water from this Shinoshioi has long been cherished as an object of faith and supports people's lives. Thinking about its history, it feels strange that I am now exposed to the same water, as if I am on a journey that transcends time.

In addition, Shinoshioi is located along a tributary of the Tone River, and you can reach the river after a short walk.

The sacred flow that lets you feel the breath of the Tone River and the Dragon God

The Tone River has been said to have been inhabited by the dragon god since ancient times, and has been worshiped as a river in which the energy of the earth flows majesticly. When I looked to the surface of the river, I saw the sparkling surface of the water shining in the sunlight. The view really looks like the scales of a dragon god, giving off a mysterious atmosphere.

The spirit of good fortune flows from the river towards the shrine, and the worship hall is filled with energy of good fortune. When I take a deep breath, I feel like the energy of the earth is flowing into my body along with the refreshing air.

Also, when you stand at the riverside, you can feel the impurity go away with the wind. In fact, when I was blown by the river breeze, I felt a refreshing feeling like I was being purified both physically and mentally. As I forgot about the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I simply stared at the flow of the river, my mind felt calm and I could feel a deep soothing feeling.

When visiting the shrine, please visit the Shinoshioi and Tone River and feel the energy of nature firsthand.

Return to Ikusu Shrine, pass through the Nino Torii gate and continue along the approach. Compared to Kashima Shrine and Katori Shrine, the grounds are quiet and small, but they feel nostalgic and calm. It gives you a warm feeling, as if you are surrounded by gentle tolerance.

God Gate

The vibrant vermilion-colored shrine gate creates a formal atmosphere. Once you pass through this gate, you will be stepping into an even more sacred space.

A proof of the comparison of power stones and young people

"Rikishi" is said to have been compared to young people during the festival. I am overwhelmed by its size and weight. I can feel the strength of the people of the past, and imagine the bustle of the festival, which makes me excited.

The shrine was founded during the period of Emperor Ojin (around 2-300 AD). It is a historic shrine that gives off a sense of eternal history.

When it was first founded, it was located closer to the sea than it is now. The location is called the Nikkawa district.

At that time, it was listed under the name Okitsusetsu Jinja, but in 807 it was relocated to what is now Kamisu City, and became Isu Shrine.

Miya Sakura

In spring, the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully. Unfortunately, the flowers had finished when we visited, but the lush leaves were strong and lush, adding color to the grounds.

There is a poem monument by Matsuo Basho in the grounds.

The power of God speaks of the power of God by the yellow of the robe, the power stone, and the haiku monument of Basho.

The monument of the poem is

"Konosato is the owner of the Kibudo (what is Konosato? The cold weather is the cold weather of Ibukido-nushi)."

It is engraved with:

George

The meaning of the phrase is

When Izanagi no Sato returned from the Land of the Underworld (Land of Death), he washed his body at the gate of the Bridge of Chikushi Hyuga, completely plucked away all the unclean and dirty things (sin and impurities) and purified them. The god of purification, raw development, and revival were born from this trend.

By pondering this word, I immerse myself in this divine realm, my body and mind will be washed away, my mind and I will no longer be confused, cloudy, and I will be so transparent that the wind blows through my body, and I will get colder.

Reading Basho's haiku will once again give you a sense of the pure power of this shrine and the divine virtue of the master of Kibukido.

Hall of worship and prayer space

Standing at the hall of worship, he quietly clasped his hands. We express our gratitude every day and pray for peaceful days. The mind calms down and makes you feel calm.

Behind the worship hall, a sacred tree, 1,000 years old, stands towering.

Sacred Tree - A giant tree that gives the breath of life

He is speechless at his overwhelming presence. The sacred trees that have lived for many years must have been watching over the history of this land. When you touch the trunk, you can feel warm energy.

Ryosu Shrine is a shrine related to the dragon god. The entire shrine grounds are filled with the energy of the dragon god.

As one of the three shrines in the Eastern Province, we hope you will visit Ikusu Shrine, experience the sacred atmosphere, and soothe both your body and mind.

Visiting this place made me once again feel awe and gratitude for nature and the gods. I felt that Ryosu Shrine is not just a tourist destination, but a special place that soothes people's hearts and gives hope.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

Contact

Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.