Daiho Hachimangu Shrine, the gods of Hitachi

Daiho Hachimangu Shrine - A sacred place for money and history protected by the white snake

Shimotsuma City is located in the southwest of Ibaraki Prefecture. Situated in the rich rural landscape, Daiho Hachiman Shrine is a sacred place that lives up to history and faith, famous for its fortunes in money and prayers for victory. We visited this venerable shrine, founded in the first year of Taiho, and took a trip to experience its mysterious charm.

A preface to the lush green Shimotsuma city and the sacred place

It took a few hours to drive from the city centre. Gradually your view opens, and the lush rural landscape spreads out. Once you enter Shimotsuma City, fields such as pears, grapes, and chestnuts are scattered along the road, and you will be captivated by the rich fruits that are about to come harvest in the fall. Shimotsuma City in particular is famous for its fresh, sweet pear production area, and its sweet aroma seems to waft out. Shimotsuma City is also known as a delicious production area for Koshihikari rice, and Milky Queen, which is said to be delicious even when it cools down, is actually the birthplace of Shimotsuma City. You will realize that the bounty of nature is nurtured this land.

The path leading to Daiho Hachiman Shrine is a quiet and calm journey, as if you were being led to a sanctuary. You will move away from the hustle and bustle and focus your attention on a peaceful, sacred place.

Sui Jin Gate - The entrance to the divine area that gives a sense of history and dignity

The entrance to Daiho Hachimangu Shrine is the Sui Jin Gate, which was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Imperial Rescript on the Showa era. Their heavy appearance seems to speak to a long history. A pair of Nio statues stand in front of the gods like a Komainu, glaring at them to keep evil spirits and impurities from approaching. His powerful figure is like a gatekeeper who protects worshippers and invites them into a sacred space.

In the past, there were eight temples called Daiho Hachiga-ji Temple in the grounds of Daiho Hachiman Shrine. This fact shows that this place was once the center of faith in the syncretism of Shinto and Buddha. As you pass through the Sui Jingu gate, you will notice a majestic and unique atmosphere that gives off a remnant of its name. The image of the era when God and Buddha coexist is still alive and alive today in this place.

History, ancient history and trajectory of faith

The history of Daiho Hachimangu Shrine dates back to the 1st year of Taiho (701). It is said that Fujiwara Tokitada enshrined and established Usa Shrine in Chikushi (now Fukuoka Prefecture). Over its long history, Daiho Hachimangu Shrine has gathered the faith of many people and has watched over various historical events.

It can be seen from the original Tendai sect's sutra that the Hachiman faith was already in high spirits at the end of the Heian period. It contains the description, "The book "Announcement of the 22nd of July 1179, the Shimotsuma Hachiman Shrine in Hitachi Province, is a book that shows the depth of faith at the time."

In addition, Daiho Hachimangu Shrine also played an important role in the Taira Masakado Rebellion that took place in the mid-Heian period. Taira Masakado often visited Daiho Hachimangu Shrine to pray for victory, and is said to have been given the new emperor by the shrine maidens of the shrine. This episode also shows that Daiho Hachimangu Shrine has been worshiped by people since ancient times as a place of spiritual power.

During the Kamakura period, when Prince Minamoto no Yoritomo was pacified to the Oshu conquest, he enshrined Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura and founded the sub-shrine Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine. This is also written as the Shimotsuma Shrine in "Azuma Kagami", and it can be seen that it was an important shrine for the Genji.

[Enshrined deity: Guardian deity of martial arts and fertility industry]

The three deities enshrined at Daiho Hachimangu Shrine are as follows:

Hondawari Mikoto: Emperor Ojin (Hachiman) of the 15th generation

Ashinakahiko Mikoto: The 14th Emperor Nakaai

Patience Princess Mikoto (Okinagatarashihime Mikoto): Empress Jingu (Empress of Emperor Chuai)

Hachiman Ogami is the creator of the culture that developed and guided in all kinds of business development, including forest control, flood control, academic studies, fishing, industry, business and industry, civil engineering and construction, transportation, sewing, and spinning, and is also a god who is renowned in the world as a god who controls the path of martial arts. He is said to be the guardian of all living and will give people the unlimited benefits to their lives.

As shown in its name, many people visit Daiho Hachimangu Shrine in search of various benefits, such as wishing for good fortune, warding off evil, traffic safety, business prosperity, safety within the family, and safe childbirth. It is believed that his divine virtue is vast and unrestricted, and will bring peace and happiness to everyday life.

[Walking around the temple grounds: sacred space full of attractions]

The grounds of Daiho Hachimangu Shrine are surrounded by a quiet and solemn atmosphere, and just walking around makes your heart sigh.

Komainu on the approach, and there are many Komainu on the left and right sides of the approach. Each has a different expression and shape, so you can enjoy it just by looking at it.

Cauldron - The cauldron sits in the grounds, overwhelms visitors with its presence. It is not clear what purpose it was used for, but it may have been used in various rituals over the long history.

The worship hall, main hall, and the current building was rebuilt in 1577 by Tagaya Souke, lord of Shimotsuma Castle. It is an architectural style called Sangensha Ryuzu, and the building is tall and the pillars are thick, giving it a solid, heavy feel. The group is small and intricately combined, and shows the local colour of the Momoyama period. The roof was thatched, but in 1965 it was converted to thatched copper plate roofing. It has been designated as a national important cultural property as a valuable cultural property that demonstrates the state of local architecture during the Tensho period.

Bell Tower - The bell tower, which was demolished during the Meiji period due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhas, was restored in the Heisei era. It produces beautiful tones and soothes the hearts of worshippers.

In the grounds of the Great Hot Springs of Lucky Gods, there is a hall dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods, where you can enjoy a tour of the Seven Lucky Gods. Each god has a blessing and is bustling with people who wish for good fortune.

Hachiman Shrine was ordered to Shimokawabe Gyohei in 1189, when Wakamiya Hachiman Shrine and Minamoto no Yoritomo achieved the conquest of Oshu. Wakamiya is the 16th Emperor Nintoku, whose father is Hachiman, the 15th Emperor Ojin. The main shrine enshrines the 14th Emperor Nakaai, so it is enshrined in three generations in a row, including parents, children, and grandchildren.

Yabusame is also held at the Shinto Housing House and Daiho Hachimangu Shrine. It would be a good idea to visit the Shinto Housing House while imagining this situation.

Kurotori Shrine - a shrine dedicated to Okuninushi no Mikoto. It is said that there is a benefit to matchmaking. According to the shrine legend, there is a dig that Sajingoro, famous for his sleeping cat at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, stayed at Daiho Hachimangu Shrine when he was young and left behind.

Following the history and ancient footsteps of Shimotsuma City

When you visit Daiho Hachimangu Shrine, you can also experience the history of Shimotsuma City.

Ruins from about 28,000 years old have been found at the Nishihara ruins in Sekijo Town, Makabe County, next to Shimotsuma City, and Japan's oldest footprints have been discovered. This was confirmed as the oldest footprint in Japan after a report from the results of Tephra analysis by Parino Sarvey and the measurements by the Gakushuin University Radiocarbon Dating Office.

Furthermore, the pottery excavated from the remains of the Jomon period was the first in Ibaraki Prefecture, and it is similar to the pottery excavated mainly in Nagano Prefecture, indicating that the Jomon people at the Nishihara ruins at the time had deep cultural exchanges with the Jomon people in the Chubu Mountains.

The connections with Taira Masakado, legends and history intersect.

During the mid-Heian period, the Taira clan boasted a powerful force in Hitachi, and the Shimotsuma City area was the setting for the Taira Masakado Rebellion. Prince Taira Masakado often visits Daiho Hachiman Shrine, and a shrine maiden calling himself the "Angel of Hachiman Daibosatsu" appears and gives me my rank to Kageko Taira Masakado. I was told that. To justify his accession to the throne, Hachiman Daibosatsu and Sugawara Michizane appeared and told Taira Masakado that he would "give him the rank of emperor." This Hachiman Shrine is said to be the Daiho Hachiman Shrine.

Daiho Castle Ruins - A place to keep memories of the Sengoku period

In this area, where Daiho Shrine is located, there was a castle called Daiho Castle during the Nanboku-cho period. The castle lord was Shimotsuma Masayasu. Daiho Castle is about 1km south of Sekijo (now Chikusei City), the castle of Seki Munesuke, who fought together. During the North and Southern Court, there was a swamp between Sekijo and Daihojo, where they flew back and forth between them. In November 1341, when Kasuga Junior High School Masaaki Kora was relocated to this place from Odawara Castle, it became a base for the Southern Court in the eastern province. After that, they continued to struggle in the midst of the fierce attacks of the Northern Court, and due to food shortages and discord within the castle, the castle fell on November 12, 1343. The castle lord, Shimotsuma Masayasu, was killed in death.

A sacred place, an experience that will wash your heart

Visiting Daiho Hachiman Shrine gives you a refreshing feeling as if to be rinsed. Before and after visiting, the mood will be completely different. After visiting the shrine, I was surrounded by a great sense of security and felt a sense of freedom, as if the load on my shoulders were lightened. It's so refreshing that I've never felt so sunny.

Daiho Hachiman Shrine has a history of the castle lord of Daiho Castle losing to a war and committing suicide, but the castle lord must have now come to passionately and sunny. It is a sacred place that warmly welcomes visitors, gives them healing and strength.

A shrine that will greatly enhance your financial luck - why you should visit

As the name suggests, Daiho Hachiman Shrine is known as a shrine that offers benefits related to financial luck. Many people visit this place in hoping for good fortune.

1. As the name suggests, Daiho Hachimangu Shrine is said to have benefits related to financial luck.
2. For those who run the business, it is an ideal place to pray for the success of their business.
3. It will also be a relaxing place for those who wish for the safety of their families and the safety and happiness of their families.

Summary: A sacred place that combines history and faith

Daiho Hachimangu Shrine is a sacred place that goes beyond the boundaries of a mere shrine and is deeply connected to history, nature and faith. Over its long history, it has gathered the faith of many people and has watched over various historical events. Daiho Hachimangu Shrine will surely be a special place for those who wish to improve their financial luck, as well as those who want to experience history and culture, those who want to heal their hearts, and those who want to rethink their own self. Please come and experience its mysterious charm.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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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.