Sakai Karamatsu-sama, the god of matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, and protection throughout women's lives [Daisen City, Akita Prefecture]

located in Kyowa, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture,Karamatsu Shrine,for women throughout their livesa "guardian deityas a god of matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth. It is also affectionately known locally"Sakai no Karamatsu-sama"is revered

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*Mei-ikata-mori-no-kamirefers to a deity who protects women throughout their lives and is believed to bring blessings for matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth.

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In Akita Prefecture, it is said to have been a revered shrine by the Onodera and Satake clans, but in the late Heian period it became the "Karamatsusan Kounji Temple," a syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism ‹2›, and enshrines a seated statue of the Acalanatha Kannon Bodhisattva created by Jocho. During the Edo period it was counted as the 18th temple of the 33 Kannon Pilgrimage Sites of the Six Counties of Akita, but was split into two shrines, Atago Shrine and Karamatsu Shrine, when Shinto and Buddhism were separated ‹3›

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*‹2›-Shinbutsu-shugo (syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism)refers to the religious phenomenon in which indigenous Japanese Shinto beliefs and Buddhist beliefs (Japanese Buddhism) are fused and reconstructed into a single belief system.

*‹3›-The separation of Shinto and Buddhism (Shinbutsu Bunri)refers to the prohibition of the syncretic practice of Shinto and Buddhism, and the clear distinction between Shinto and Buddhism, gods and Buddhas, and shrines and temples. It was officially implemented throughout the country based on the Shinto-Buddhist Separation Order issued by the Meiji government.

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The name Karamatsu ShrineKaramatsu-no-miya, and according to legend, it is said to"conquest of Koreabe based on the story that Ikui-no-muraji built the shrine to commemorate Empress Jingu's conquest of the Three Kingdoms (Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo) and her"Karamatsu Shrine." It is also said that during the conquest of the Three Kingdoms, Ikui-no-muraji presented a maternity belt to the pregnant Empress Jingu, which was later bestowed upon him, and that this was passed down to the Akita Mononobe clan and became a sacred treasure.

When the future Emperor Ojin was born, this belly band became the sacred object of Karamatsu Shrine and came to be enshrined as the guardian deity of childbearing and safe childbirth

For the above reasons, Karamatsu Shrine in Kyowa, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture is a historic shrine that is constantly visited by worshippers from all over the country

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On this day, I had spent the night in Omagari, Daisen City, the day before, and when I asked a local person about places to stop by in the area, he suggested that I visit Karamatsu Shrine, so I came here

I never imagined it would be such a fantastical and mysterious place. This time, I'd likeKaramatsu Shrine, whichto introduce you to

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The 160m long approach to Karamatsu Shrine lined with old cedar trees

The approach to Karamatsu Shrine can be accessed from the residential area of ​​Kyowa in Daisen City

The cedar trees along the approach to the shrine are approximately 100 to 350 years old and are said to have been planted by the lord of the Satake domain in 1679

If you go straight along the approach, you will see the torii gate

If you go further, you will reach the worship hall, and along the way you will see the torii gate of Karamatsuyama Tenhi Shrine

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A remnant of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism? Karamatsuyama Tenhi Shrine

Adjacent to Karamatsu ShrineKaramatsu-san Amatsuhinomiya,a shrine dedicated to deities associated with the Mononobe family, located within the gardens of the Mononobe family residence. When Satake Yoshitomo relocated Karamatsu Shrine, Karamatsu-san Kounji Temple was appointed as the administrator and the shrine was moved to its current location. Later, it became the family shrine and the enshrined deity within the residence of the Akita Mononobe clan.

Its quiet appearance in the middle of the pond is truly mystical. The current shrine building was rebuilt in 1914 in the Hōmen Shinmei style, and is said to be a reproduction of one that was once built in Yamato. The stone walls were made from approximately 100,000 pieces of natural stone donated by religious groups and worshippers, and the garden was completed in 1932

Behind the shrine"Hugging Stones": the "Hugging Stone for Men (left in the photo)for matchmaking and safe"for children, the "Jeweledthe "Woman Stone (right in the photo)" whichgrants the wish for children. Visitors can pray directly to the deities. When praying, men should proceed clockwise and touch the Jeweled Spear Stone while uttering their wishes, and women should proceed counterclockwise and touch the Hugging Stone for Men and the Jeweled Spear Stone, repeating this procedure three times.

Leaving Karamatsuyama Tenhigu Shrine behind, we head to Karamatsu Shrine's main hall

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The Karamatsu Shrine worship hall, a unique structure that cannot be found anywhere else

Unlike other shrines, the worship hall of Karamatsu Shrine is located in a lower depression, and the approach to the shrine is downhill. The worship hall and main hall are built as one building, which I think makes it a rare shrine nationwide. While praying, I was lucky enough to meet the priest

The priest said, "It's okay to look inside the worship hall." I thanked him and decided to take him up on his offer, but I was shocked to see what was happening inside

To begin with, the only reason I stopped by Karamatsu Shrine was"on the recommendation of a local."Now that I'm writing this article, I understand the story behind it, but at the time of my visit, I didn't even know what kind of shrine it was. It was only after going inside that I learned the origins of Karamatsu Shrine.

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The god of matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth, "Karamatsu Shrine of the Boundary"

Look at this bell. It's truly a "bell-like" bell. It must be over 2 meters in size

These bells were donated by people who were blessed with children after prayers, and some of the oldest ones seem to have been donated during the Edo period. In more recent times, bells with handmade bell cords have also been donated

Various bells and bell ropes have been donated from all over the country, showing that Karamatsu Shrine is a shrine with deep faith as a place to pray for children

I was stunned and thought, "What is this?", so I bowed and left Karamatsu Shrine

We highly recommend visiting Karamatsu Shrine in Kyowa, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, where you can enjoy the beauty of nature while surrounded by a sacred atmosphere

Karamatsu Shrine <Information>

• Name: Karamatsu Shrine
• Address: 94 Kyowa Sakai Shimodai, Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, 019-2411
• Founded in 982 (Tengen 5)
• Annual festival: May 3rd
• Enshrined deity　
  • Kagutsuchi no Mikoto
  • Okinagatarashihime-no-Mikoto
  • Toyoukehime-no-Mikoto
  • Takamimusubi no Mikoto
  • Kamimusubi no Mikoto

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