The Gods of Shimousa 2. Visiting the Three Eastern Shrines and Walking for Katori / Souta Taka Shrine

Key to know the depths of Katori Shrine, a visit to Daiichi Setsubi Shrine and Naotaka Shrine - Experience of spiritual power beyond words

After visiting Katori Shrine, surrounded by the majestic atmosphere, I headed to my next destination, Otataka Shrine. Situated near Katori Shrine, this shrine is the first reservoir of Katori Shrine, and is a historic shrine, founded in the 18th year of Emperor Jimmu's reign, the same year as Katori Shrine. However, its existence tends to hide behind Katori Shrine, and many people may know its name.

However, Hosotaka Shrine is a special place full of intense spiritual power, known only to those who know it. This shrine enshrines the ancestor of the purification of the land, and its enshrined deity has been enveloped in mystery since ancient times and is not even allowed to be consumed. It is said that it is merely said to be "a guardian (god) who speaks without saying anything." Attracted by its mysteriousness, I passed through the gate of Hosotaka Shrine.

A quiet space, the road to the Otataka Shrine

A step away from the bustle of Katori Shrine, it was surrounded by a tranquility that felt like a different world. The greenery of the trees is thick, and the birds' chirping echoes comfortably. The approach to the shrine continues with mossy cobblestones, giving a sense of the long-standing years. With each step I felt the air clearer.

Along the approach, lush trees are grown, blocking the sunlight. Thanks to this, the grounds are enveloped in a cool atmosphere, further highlighting the sacred atmosphere. The occasional light shining through the deep green felt like a god's blessing.

Along the way, a small river flows, and the sighs serpents a pleasant rhythm in the silence. The river is surprisingly clear and offers a clear view to the bottom. Its high transparency seems to indicate that this place is a sanctuary that is free from pollution.

As we approached the end of the approach, we began to see the torii gate. The stone torii gate is covered in moss and is old and pale. Its presence is like a guardian deity who has been protecting the land for many years. Once you pass through the torii gate, you will finally be able to step into the grounds of Taka Shrine on the side.

The temple grounds filled with intense spirits, the sacredness that you can feel with your five senses

The moment I passed through the torii gate, I was shocked to the point of speech. The surrounding atmosphere changed completely, and I was overcome by a feeling of trembling throughout my body. It was an overwhelming spiritual power that I had never experienced before.

The grounds are much smaller than Katori Shrine. However, the energy that filled the space was far beyond imagination. I was in awe, almost as if God was right there.

The first thing that caught my eye was a pair of Komainu. The stone-made Komainu has been exposed to the wind and rain over many years, and their expressions are somewhat stern. However, their eyes seemed to be keeping their eyes looking forward and protecting the shrine grounds. Moss grows at the feet of the Komainu, giving it a sense of history.

Behind the Komainu, the worship hall stands quietly. The wooden worship hall is simple, but its appearance is full of dignity. Moss grows on the roof of the hall, giving it a sense of the years. However, its presence has not faded and still welcomes many visitors.

A offering box is placed in front of the worship hall. The offering box is probably filled with the wishes of many visitors. I also put the offerings in the offering box and quietly put my hands together. In my heart, I expressed my gratitude on a daily basis and prayed for peace in the future.

Mystical Beings - Guardians who don't speak (God)）

The deity enshrined at Naotaka Shrine has been considered mysterious since ancient times, and is not permitted to speak, and is simply said to be a "guard (god) that does not speak or speak". Why are the names of the enshrined deity hidden? The reason for this lies in the incredible spiritual power that this shrine possesses.

By placing myself inside the temple grounds, I felt like I had a little understanding of why. It's difficult to explain in words, but there is something special about this place that goes beyond words. It is a sacred energy that goes beyond human understanding.

"The Guardian (God) Who Can't Say or Speak" has a deep mystical character that cannot be expressed in words. Its existence is something that can be felt with the five senses rather than with words. By placing myself in the temple grounds, I felt the feeling of being exposed to this mysterious power and being washed away.

People who visit this shrine must be looking for something special that cannot be expressed in words. It could be a peace of mind, or the ability to overcome difficulties. Or maybe they just want to be freed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life by placing themselves in a sacred space.

A harmony between the four seasons of the jar, thousand-year-old cedar and nature

In one corner of the temple grounds, four jars called "The Four Seasons' Pots" are lined up. Each jar is planted with plants that symbolize each season, spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The four seasons of the jars seem to be a work of art, condensing the beauty of nature.

Cherry blossoms are planted in the spring jars, and they bloom beautiful flowers. The summer jars are planted with maples of lush leaves, creating a cool shade. The autumn jars are planted with maples of autumn leaves, and the temple grounds are decorated with bright red colours. The winter jars are planted with snow covered in pine trees, creating a solemn atmosphere.

The four seasons of the jars represent the natural circulation. Each season has its own beauty, and its beauty complements each other. Looking at the jars of the four seasons, I feel the greatness of nature and feel at ease.

Behind the temple grounds, the sacred tree "Thousand-Year Cedar," which is said to be over a thousand years old, stands towering. As the name suggests, the thousand-year-old cedar is a giant tree that has survived many years. His appearance is truly spectacular. Looking up at the thousand-year-old cedar, I am deeply moved to realize how small the human existence is.

Thousand-year cedar gives a sense of powerful vitality. Its trunk is thick, powerful, and stretches straight towards the sky. A special atmosphere flows around the thousand-year-old cedar, and just being there will soothe your heart.

Ceremony shrines and spiritual purification and new sources of energy

Several shrines in the temple grounds are enshrined in one corner of the temple grounds. Each shrine in the shrine has a variety of gods enshrined there, and each god plays his own role. It is said that visiting shrines within the shrine will allow you to receive various benefits.

I prayed for each shrine in the shrine, expressed my gratitude for the day and prayed for peace in the future. As I went around the shrine in the shrine, I felt a sense of purification in my heart. It's as if all the bad things that had accumulated in your body were being purified.

It is said that the shrine is not only a spiritual purification, but also has the effect of physical revitalization. By placing yourself in the grounds, the energy that was lying within your body is activated and you feel more vitality. After visiting the shrine, I felt a sense of exhilaration, as if I had felt lighter.

Utataka Shrine is truly a special place where both spiritual and physically purified and activated. When visiting Katori Shrine, I hope you will visit Taka Shrine on this side and experience its incredible spiritual power.

Experiences beyond words and the significance of visiting the shrine

Visiting Naotaka Shrine was a valuable experience that could not be fully expressed in words. By visiting this shrine, I was able to learn about the depths of the shrine, which I had never known before.

Hosotaka Shrine is more than just a tourist spot. It is a special place filled with sacred energy. Visiting this shrine has helped me to wash my mind and gain new energy.

If you are feeling tired from your daily life, please come visit Utataka Shrine. There must be something special about it that you are looking for.

Hosotaka Shrine is a place full of mysterious charms that cannot be described in words. I hope you can sense this charm with your own five senses. I hope that the special energy gained at Naotaka Shrine will be used in daily life.

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.