Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine, the gods of Hitachi

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine - Guardian deity of the New Country floating in the morning mist

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is located in Kuramochi, Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The grounds, surrounded by morning mist, welcome visitors with a tranquil atmosphere, awakening ancient memories. This shrine is a shrine that deeply engraved its history as a Shinji Province (Niiharinokuni) that existed before the ancient Ritsuryo system. The enshrined deities are Takemikazuchi, with the focus being on Takemikazuchi no Kami, Kotoshironushi no Kami, Hinaraju no Kami, Okuninushi no Kami, and Takeminakata no Mikoto, and have been worshiped deeply by local people as a place to pray for rich fruit and peace of the people.

New Land (Niihari no Kuni) - Memories of ancient Hitachi

Shin-no-no-Kou was a country that existed in the western part of today's Ibaraki Prefecture before the Taika reform. His name appears in the poem written by Yamato Takeru Mikoto in the Kojiki as "Nihibari". This song is said to convey a feeling for his hometown, reminiscent of the place that Wa Kenmini passed through during his east campaign. The origin of the place name Shinji is detailed in the Shinji County section of the Hitachi Kunifudoki.

According to ancient legend, Hinara Sujin, the ancestor of the Shinji Kunisatsuko was dispatched to defeat the violent bandits of the ebisu in the 10th Emperor Sujin. When Hinara Tamamitsu arrived here, he dug a new well and found a gush of clean water gushing out. People were delighted with this, celebrating the well as "opened" and to commemorate the event, they named the county "Shinji." This tradition shows that the place name Shinji comes from the bounty of water that supports people's lives and the achievements of their ancestors who protected and guided them.

In addition, the early modern Shinji County, Ibaraki Prefecture, which continued until 2006 (Heisei 18), is the same name for Shinji, but its scope is different from the ancient Shinji country. The ancient Shin-Ryu region refers to a vast area that includes parts of today's Chikusei City, Sakuragawa City, and Kasama City, and Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine, as its central presence, became the spiritual pillar of the region.

History of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine - From ancient times to the Middle Ages

The founding of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is said to date back to 111 (111) of Emperor Keikyo's 41st year. It is said that the beginning of the shrine was when Hinarasu Mikoto, a Shinji-kuni (Shinji-kuni Mikoto), worshiped the three gods, Takemikazuchi, Okuninushi Mikoto, and Koji no O. These gods are known as gods of war, land management, and oracle, and have been deeply worshiped since ancient times as gods who protect the nation, fulfil a wealth of harvests, and the happiness of the people.

The era then began to decline, and the Iyo Prince's Incident broke out in the early Heian period and in 807. This incident was allegedly caused by Prince Iyo, Emperor Heijo's younger brother, to rebel, and many people were involved in the incident. One of them, Fujiwara no Munenari, was arrested for encouraging Prince Iyo to rebel and was exiled to Hitachi Province.

Munenari was living a life of despair in Hitachi, where he was exiled, but one day he learned about the existence of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine and began visiting the shrine every day. He repented his sins before God and prayed for pardon. Perhaps because of his sincere prayer, several years later, Munenari was pardoned and was able to return to Kyoto.

When Munenari returned to Kyoto, he never forgot his gratitude to Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine and presented the shrine with the name "Kumai Miya." Kumoi means a palaces of clouds towering high in the sky, and is a word that symbolizes the sanctuary where the gods live. The gift of this issue led to Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine to increase its reputation and gained reverence not only from local people but also from the capital.

The grounds of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine ・ Sacred space

The grounds of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine are filled with a sacred atmosphere. The approach, which stretches approximately 200 meters long, is filled with cherry blossom trees in bloom in spring, creating a gorgeous view. As you walk along the approach, a refreshing air will purify you and you will be able to head quietly towards the gods.

There is a temizuya shrine along the way, and the etiquette is to purify yourself before visiting the shrine. The water from the Temizuya is pure and cold, and washes the body and mind. Beyond the Tesuisha, the Sui Jin Gate towers over, protecting the entrance to the sacred area. Powerful Komainu dogs sit on both sides of the Sui Jin Gate, exuding dignity that keeps evil things at bay.

After passing through the Sui Jinjimun gate, a worship hall appears in front of you. The worship hall has a majestic atmosphere that overwhelms visitors. A offering box is placed in front of the worship hall, and visitors will offer offerings to express their daily gratitude. Behind the hall is the main shrine, and the enshrined deity Takemikazuchi is enshrined.

In the corner of the temple grounds, the god of Doso is enshrined. Doso God is enshrined at village boundaries and on the streets, and is worshiped as a god to prevent travel safety and the invasion of evil plagues. Tenjinja Shrine is also enshrined, and Sugawara Michizane, the god of learning, is enshrined. Exam students and people who wish for success in academic success come to pray for success.

The enshrined deity of Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine - The power of a diverse range of gods

The deities enshrined at Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine are centered around Takemikazuchi, and a variety of gods are enshrined, including Kotodaishu, Ai Nara Jumimi, Okuninushi no Mikoto, and Takeminakata no Mikoto. Each god has a different role and power, and responds to the various wishes of people.

1. Takemikazuchi no Kami is known as the god of warrior, and is said to be beneficial in protecting the nation, achieving martial arts, and praying for victory. He is also worshiped as the god of thunder and swords.
2. He is known as the Kotoshironushi no Kami and the god of oracle, and is said to benefit business prosperity, fishing safety, and family safety. He is also known as Ebisu.
3. It is the ancestor of Nara Jumei (Hinasu Mikoto) and Shinji Kunibutsu, and is revered as the guardian deity of the region.
4. Okuninushi Mikoto is known as the god of land management, and is said to have benefits for matchmaking, a wealth of harvests, and for healing illnesses. It is also famous as the enshrined deity of Izumo Taisha Shrine.
5. Takeminakata no Kami: Known as the god of warrior, it is enshrined as the deity of Suwa Taisha Shrine.

By enshrining these gods, Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is believed to be able to protect the lives of local people in general and meet all wishes.

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine - The significance of modern times

In modern society, shrines are not merely religious facilities, but play an important role in conveying the culture and history of the region. Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is an indispensable presence in conveying memories of the ancient New Regime to the present and shaping the local identity.

Shrines also play a role as a place for people to support their hearts. In everyday life, people who are worried and anxious can achieve peace of mind by calming their minds in the serene space of the shrine and offering prayers to God.

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is said to have the benefits of fertility, as well as the benefits of exorcism that restores sin and impurities to its original good fortune, and many people visit to worship. In particular, in recent years, it has attracted attention as a power spot, and more and more people, especially among younger generations, are visiting shrines.

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine inherits the history and culture of the region from ancient times to the present day, and is a place of reinforcement for people's hearts and enhances its raison d'être.

summary

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is a shrine with history and tradition located in Chikusei City, Ibaraki Prefecture. As the shrine of the ancient New Regime, Takemikazuchi god is the main deity and has been worshiped deeply by local people. The temple grounds are filled with a sacred atmosphere, and visitors are surrounded by a tranquil atmosphere.

Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine is not merely a religious facility, but plays an important role in conveying the local culture and history, and is increasing its raison d'és in modern society as well. I hope you will visit Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine and experience the sacred atmosphere firsthand.

Visiting this shrine will not only provide an opportunity to get acquainted with memories of the ancient New Regime, understand the history and culture of the region, but also rethink your own mind and gain new vitality. Kumoi Miyagozo Shrine gives peace and hope to all visitors.

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.