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Aoso Shrine is located near the Miyagi Prefectural Forest in Iwakiri, Miyagino Ward, Sendai City, near the border between Sendai City and Rifu Town
Nearby are the historic ruins of Iwakiri Castle and the Miyagi Prefectural General Athletic Park Grandi 21, and despite not being far from the center of Sendai, the shrine is surrounded by forest and is rich in nature, making it a very beautiful shrine
A large rock engraved with the words "Aoma Iwato Sanko-gu," the former name of the shrine
It was formerly known as Aosoiwatosankogu, Aosogongensha, and Sagajinja, andis the head shrine of all Aosoiwatosanko and Sanko shrines located throughout Japan.
A shrine dedicated to the three gods of light: the moon, the stars, and the sun
According to the shrine's history, it is said that in 852, when a man named Hozumi Yasumasa, the distant ancestor of the shrine family, came down from Yamashiro Province (present-day southern Kyoto Prefecture), he enshrinedthe three deities of the sun, moon, and stars, whom, in a cave in a mountain gorge, which marked the beginning of the shrine.
The worship hall of Aoma Shrine
What are the Three Light Gods of the Sun, Moon, and Stars?
Sun (Sun God) = Amaterasu Oomikami
Moon (Moon God) = Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
Star (star god) = Amenominakanushi-no-kami
Both of these gods appear in Japanese mythology, such as the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and have been passed down since the beginning of Japanese history
The company name comes from the cultivation of hemp
It is said that the name "Aoma" (青麻) originated from the fact that Hozumi Yasumasa, mentioned earlier, taught the local people how to cultivate hemp, and that cultivation began thereThe crest of Aoma Shrine is also based on a hemp leaf.
The crest of Aomasa Shrine is based on the hemp leaf motif
This is also mentioned in the Sendai Domain Fudoki, which was compiled in 1772.
"In the mountains of Iwakiri Village, Honmura, there is a place called Aoma. In ancient times, hemp was planted here, hence the name. There is a cavern over one foot high..."
Sendai Domain Fudoki
It is written:
Hitachibo Kaison, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, is enshrined alongside the shrine
Later, in 1682, an old man claiming to beHitachibo Kaison, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, visited Aoma Shrine anda stroke (what is now called a stroke, a sequela of cerebrovascular disease, including partial paralysis, hemiplegia, speech impairment, and numbness or paralysis of the limbs).As a result, he was later enshrined alongside the deity at Aoma Shrine.
Stone monument at Aoma Shrine
Who is Hitachibo Kaison?
Hitachibō Kaisonis a figure who appears in books such as "Genpei Seisui Ki," "Yoshitsune Ki," and "Heike Monogatari," andno Yoshitsunealong with Musashibō Benkei andMinamotois said to have been a retainer of
He fled the capital with Yoshitsune and others, and during the Battle of Koromogawa, where they fought against the forces of Fujiwara no Yasuhira in Hiraizumi, it is said that he survived because he had visited Yamadera Temple in what is now Yamagata Prefecture with several of Yoshitsune's retainers
Another theory suggests that Hitachibō KaisonHitachi Nyūdō Nensai (Date Tomomune)was the orphaned child of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, entrusted to
Hitachi Nyudo Nensai (Date Tomomune) was the first head of the Oshu Date clan, and therefore the ancestor of Date Masamune
It's fascinating to see how the history of places and people comes together through research like this!
The blessings of Aoma Shrine
at the shrine of the Seven Lucky Gods within the temple groundsGood fortune and prosperity can be found. Because the family of Hozumi Yasumasa, a figure associated with the shrine's founding, was involved in water transport,safety at sea. Furthermore, the divine power of Hitachibo Kaison, who is enshrined alongsideagainst strokegod, is said to offer protection
This shrine is said to be beneficial for those suffering from one of the three major diseases (cancer, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease), which are the top three causes of death among Japanese people! This may be a shrine you should visit regularly!
Aoma Shrine Facilities
This facility is located within the grounds of Aoma Shrine and in the surrounding area
Shrine office
Facing the worship hall of Aoma Shrine, the facility on the right is the shrine office. You can purchase amulets, goshuin stamps, etc. here
Aoma Shrine office
Kagura Hall
that was introduced to the shrine in 1807 by the Shirakawa family, the chief Shinto priests of Kyotothe "Sakaki-ryu Aoma Kagura," a form of Shinto ritual danceis home
Kagura Hall of Aoma Shrine
in 1991an intangible folk cultural property of Sendai CityIt was registered asthe Aoma Shrine Spring Festivalon November 23rdthe Niiname-sai (harvest festival)is performed annually at
Across the road from the entrance to Aoma Shrine is a spring called "MotochayaFormer Teahouse Spring). According to the sign, this spring water was once supplied to a teahouse for visitors to the shrine.
The sign for Shimizu, the former teahouse of Aoma Shrine
Even today, you can see worshippers drawing spring water to take home. Incidentally, the water in the chozuya (water purification fountain) and pond on the temple grounds is also from the same spring water
Spring water at Aoma Shrine
Shrine to the Seven Lucky Gods
To the left of the worship hall is a small shrine where cute-sized statues of the Seven Lucky Gods are enshrined. Don't forget to visit here to pray for good fortune!
Shrine to the Seven Lucky Gods in the grounds of Aoma Shrine
summary
Aoma Shrine is located close to Miyagi Prefectural Forest, which was established in 1967 as part of Miyagi Prefecture's Meiji Centennial Commemoration Project. Despite being located on the outskirts of Sendai City, the surrounding environment allows you to come into contact with nature, making it a great place to refresh yourself on the weekend!
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
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