The shrine dedicated to Taira Masakado ① Tsukido Shrine

Tsukido Shrine and the sacred site of Masakado faith, transcending the waves of history and shining in the present day

Tsukido Shrine is quietly located in a corner of Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, with office buildings lined up. Although it is conveniently located just a 1 minute walk from Kudanshita Station, once you step inside, you will find a tranquil space separated from the hustle and bustle. This shrine is known as a place associated with Prince Taira Masakado, a warlord in the mid-Heian period, and its history is deep, and its shrine buildings have a story of strange changes that have protected its faith even though it is at the mercy of the rough waves of the times. It has been revered as a sacred place for Masakado faith and as an irreplaceable place for those who wish to improve their martial fortunes and success, and its existence still shines in modern times.

Basic information about the shrine, enshrined deity, shrine crest

Tsukido Shrine is located at 1-14-21 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and is located in an easy-to-access location, just a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Kudanshita Station. The calm atmosphere that will leave you feeling at home in the hustle and bustle of the city centre brings peace to visitors.

The enshrined deity enshrines Amatsuhiko Kanigi-san (Amatsuhiko no Nigi Mikoto) as the main deity. Amaterasu Kanigi-son is the grandson of Amaterasu Omikami and is also known as Ninigi-san, a pillar of the gods of Japanese mythology. He is a god who is said to have descended on earth when the heavenly grandson came to the land, and is worshiped as the god of bountiful harvests and national security. The Aoden enshrins enshrined there are Taira Masakado and Sugawara Michizane. Taira Masakado was a warlord from the mid-Heian period, and is known as a hero who was active in the Kanto region and as a god of curses. Sugawara Michizane is widely worshiped as the god of learning, and there are many people who visit to pray for success in academic success and success.

The shrine crest of Tsukido Shrine is the nine-yo crest. This pattern, with nine small stars placed around the large central star, suggests a deep connection to Myoken faith. Taira Masakado revered Myoken Daibosatsu, and the Nineyo Crest was used as a family crest that symbolized his faith. Myoken faith is a faith that deified the North Star and worships it as a god who controls the fate of people, and its influence spread widely, especially in samurai society.

Eternal history, founding, relocation, change of company name

The history of Tsukido Shrine dates back to 940 (Tenkei 3rd year), and its founding is deeply rooted in the legend of Taira Masakado's head-on. The head of Taira Masakado, which was killed by Fujiwara Hidesato and others, was exposed in Kyoto, secretly taken away and enshrined in Kannon Hall, located in Tsukuto, Kamihirakawa Village, Toshima District, Musashi Province (around Otemachi, now Chiyoda Ward). This was the beginning of Tsukido Shrine, and at the time it was called Tsukuto Myojin. It is believed that it was enshrined to comfort the spirit of Prince Masakado and to calm his curse.

Later, during the Muromachi period, when Ota Dokan built Edo Castle, he maintained the shrine building and revered it as the guardian deity of the Ota family and even the guardian deity of Edo Castle. Ota Dokan is known as the great general who laid the foundations of Edo, and is said to have a strong faith in Tsukido Shrine. However, due to the expansion of Edo Castle and the expansion of Edo Castle's outer moat, Tsukido Shrine was forced to move repeatedly.

In 1616, it moved to Tsukito Hachimancho, Shinjuku Ward, but it was then moved to the grounds of Setsugu Inari Shrine for the construction of Kudan Junior High School. In 1994, due to the aging of the shrine, it was renovated into a modern shrine with modern concrete walls.

During the Edo period, the company name was "Tsukuto Daimyojin" or "Tsukudo Myojin", but it was renamed "Tsukudo Shrine" in 1878. This is thought to have been because the influence of the policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism since the Meiji Restoration, and it was necessary to clarify the name of the shrine.

In this way, Tsukido Shrine has changed its location and appearance many times over its long history, but as a center of Masakado faith, it has been supported by local people and has continued to protect its faith. This change can be said to reflect the history of Japan itself.

Deep bond with Masakado faith, transformation into heroes, cursed gods, and guardian gods

Among the many shrines and temples associated with Masakado, Tsukido Shrine has a special meaning as a sacred place for Masakado worship. Its origins are that the head of Taira Masakado was enshrined, and there is also a legend that the head of Taira Masakado (the skull and hair) itself was enshrined in Tsukuto Daimyojin. It is believed that it was enshrined in order to comfort the spirit of Lord Masakado and calm his curse, but gradually the aspect of his heroism in the Kanto region began to be emphasized, and the faith of samurai who wished for long-lasting martial fortunes and improved luck in victory.

After his death, Taira Masakado was enshrined as a hero in the eastern provinces, but in the Meiji period, due to the influence of his view on history in the Imperial country, he was sometimes regarded as a "traitor" who rebelled against the emperor. Therefore, for convenience, Tsukido Shrine has diluted its relationship with Masakado by using Amatehiko Kanisuki-son, who has a close relationship with the emperor lineage as the main deity, and Taira Masakado's god as the temple deity. It is believed that this was a desperate measure to maintain the shrine's form in accordance with the Meiji government's policy.

However, after the war, when the separation of church and state was established, Tsukido Shrine once again began to publicly declare that it was a shrine dedicated to Masakado, and now many people visit it as the center of Masakado faith. The prayers of those who comforted the spirit of Prince Masakado and tried to honour his valour still gather at Tsukido Shrine today.

Tsukido Shrine holds the nine-young crest, which comes from the fact that Taira Masakado revered Myoken Daibosatsu. Myoken faith is a faith that deifieds the North Star and worships it as the god who controls the fate of people, and it is said that Taira Masakado won numerous battles with the blessing of Myoken Daibosatsu. Myoken faith has attracted a wide range of faith, mainly among the samurai class, and Tsukido Shrine has also been strongly influenced by this.

History, shrines, Komainu, amulets, and faith that live in the present day

The current shrine building at Tsukido Shrine has a modern design covered with concrete walls, but it has a unique look that incorporates elements from Sumiyoshi-zukuri and partially incorporates a Shinmei style structure. An attempt is made to connect the past and future by incorporating traditional shrine styles into contemporary architecture.

The Komainu, which sits in front of the shrine, was dedicated to the shrine in 1780 (Yasunaga 9th year) by a parishioner of Motoiida Town, and is designated as a Chiyoda Ward Tangible Cultural Property, as the oldest of the Komainu remains in Chiyoda Ward. It is characterized by a "horn" attached to one head and a "jewel" attached to the other. Even after many years, its appearance still retains its appearance and conveys the weight of history.

At Tsukido Shrine, Katsumamori, which is adorable to the black horse associated with Taira Masakado, is awarded for a limited time for 15 days from January 1st to January 15th every year.

This amulet is popular with people who wish for long-term martial arts and improved luck in victory, and many people come to ask for it. The black horse, which symbolizes Shokado's bravery, is still empowering people as a symbol of victory in modern times.

and tranquil space for good fortune

Tsukido Shrine is also located in its main shrine as the deity of the Nippon Budokan, known as the "House of Martial Arts." Taira Masakado is revered as a god of martial arts for his trajectory of battle in Kanto and won many victories, and by being enshrined at the Nippon Budokan, he protects people who practice martial arts. Martial artists visit Tsukido Shrine, pray for the results of their daily training, and pledge to pursue their efforts in martial arts.

Tsukido Shrine is a shrine associated with Taira Masakado, so it is said to be filled with extremely powerful power and gives off a sense of tension. To sense this unique power, many people visit Tsukido Shrine and offer quiet prayers.

Tsukido Shrine serves as a place of restoration for people in modern society. In a stressful modern society, you can feel at ease by calming your mind in a serene space and thinking about past history. Also, by touching the Spirit of Lord Masakado and trying to suppose his bravery, he will be given the courage to face difficulties.

The eternal glow of knotting, history and faith

Tsukido Shrine is a shrine located in the city center, with a special atmosphere that remains strong in the history and faith of Taira Masakado. Over its long history, despite changing locations and appearances many times, it has been supported by local people and has continued to protect its faith as a sacred place for Masakado faith.

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.