traditional events

Is Uesugi Takayama praying for rain? Yonezawa Atago Shrine also has an entertainment shrine within its precincts. In the background is that big-name comedy actor! [Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture]

  • ikoke ikoke
  • Last updated: 2025.04.17

, there is the ancient and historic Atago Shrine

Atago Shrine is highly revered within the city, especially by residents of the surrounding area, and worship services and festivals are held on specific dates every year

The god of performing arts is enshrined within the grounds of Atago Shrine, which is revered and loved by local residents. What's more, the story surrounding the shrine's founding is said to be related to a famous comedian

we will introduce Geinojinja Shrine , where the god of performing arts is enshrined

The god of performing arts? What is Geinojinja Shrine?

Heading west into Yonezawa city, we passed through the village and headed towards a small hill (Atagoyama). At the entrance to the hiking trail, we saw several flags for the Japanese Geino Shrine, and were able to reach the shrine smoothly

Climbing the two-tiered stone steps, you will come across a small shrine with a pair of lion-dog statues enshrined in front of it, creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere

Since it's called Geinojinja, I imagined it would have a more prominent presence, but it was a quiet and peaceful place

The area around the shrine was spacious, surrounded by trees and a quiet atmosphere, creating a simple and comfortable space

How did Geinojinja Shrine come to be enshrined?

Originally a shrine from the Edo period located in Nakano Ward, Tokyo, it was donated by Kimura Tosuke, an art gallery owner from Yonezawa City, as a Geinojinja (a shrine dedicated to Amanouzume-no-Mikoto) in the hopes of contributing to the development of Yonezawa City

The famous comedian, Sansaburo Ban, also agreed with Kimura's vision for his hometown, and the shrine was enshrined within the grounds of Atago Shrine

"Amanouzume no Mikoto," enshrined at Geinojinja Shrine, is said to be the oldest dancer in Japan

Japanese mythology tells us that when Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the Amano Iwato cave, Amanouzume no Mikoto performed a dance in front of the cave, which allowed her to open it safely

It is said that she was a dancer who could charm even the gods, which is why she is worshipped as the god of performing arts and performing arts. People involved in dance and theater come to worship her as she is believed to bring good fortune in performing arts activities, including traditional culture

Recently, the shrine has attracted attention when Chiaki Hiratsuka (actor and model), a native of Yonezawa City, visited the shrine

The guardian lions guarding the gods are very cute

It is a small shrine, but it stands quietly protected by the guardian lion dog "A-Un."

When you visit the shrine, you will see lion dogs standing in front of it like gatekeepers

In front of the shrine where the god of performing arts is enshrined, there are guardian lion dogs standing to welcome visitors. The
pair of guardian lion dogs are a married couple called "A-Un."

"A" on the right side of the shrine is holding a baby lion dog protectively. The baby lion dog is also looking up at it with a pampered look, which is very adorable and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside

On the left side of the shrine, "Un" is standing dignified and holding a ball in his right hand, but his expression also looks gentle and adorable

I couldn't help but exclaim, "How cute!"

Komainu are Japanese lion-like creatures and are considered to be imaginary creatures. They are often placed as statues facing each other on either side of the entrance to shrines and temples, or on the left and right sides of the main hall or main hall, or they are placed with their backs to the temple or shrine they are protecting, facing worshippers directly. In these cases, a hornless lion and a horned lion are placed as a pair.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although they are called dogs, one of them (the right side, to be precise) is a lion, and the left side of the pair is a Komainu

In any case, they are sacred animals that come in pairs, male and female, and "ward off evil spirits and protect the altar."

The history and benefits of Atago Shrine

Atago Shrine, located on the summit of Mount Atago in the Toyama district of Yonezawa City, enshrines Kagutsuchi-no-Mikoto, who is worshipped as the god of fire. The main shrine is Atago Shrine in Saga Atago-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City

Yonezawa's Atago Shrine is not only fervently worshipped by parishioners living in the neighborhood, but is also said to be a shrine loved widely throughout the city

Starting just after midnight on July 30th, parishioners make an early morning climb to Mt. Atago to pay their respects. It is said that by worshipping on this day, one will be granted a year's worth of blessings, so many local residents take part in this early morning climb

Also, on August 1st, the Atago Fire Festival is held, with the festival starting with an early morning climb and continuing until late into the night

The spectacular sight of the torchlight procession and the mikoshi (portable shrine) procession to the summit at night is truly breathtaking

Did the lord of Yonezawa domain, Uesugi Yozan, personally pray for rain?

It is said that Uesugi Yozan, the lord of the Yonezawa domain, who is revered by many citizens

It is said that the rain-making prayer was successful and the gods were blessed with merciful rain

He was a wonderful lord who thought of the farmers suffering from drought and personally visited the shrine to pray for rain. It's easy to see why he continues to be revered and loved by the citizens to this day

Atago Shrine＜Information＞

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summary

Legend has it that Lord Uesugi Yozan personally prayed for rain at Atago Shrine, and was granted it

I learned that there was a Geino Shrine within the grounds, so I headed there to do some research, and prepared myself for having to walk up the mountain path of Atago Mountain. However, after driving a short distance up the Jizoen parking lot, I found the shrine at the top of a stone staircase, guarded by lion-dog statues

We were greeted by the adorable lion dogs, and the cool air made me feel incredibly calm. Looking back, I could see the city of Yonezawa below me, and the view was also very soothing

Tohoku is home to many small shrines and temples with stories to tell. Even in places you don't normally walk, you may find historical spots hiding nearby. We also recommend taking a stroll

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