Shiogama Shrine and Shiwahiko Shrine, Ichinomiya of Mutsu Province, once received special treatment from the government? [Miyagi Prefecture]

For residents of Miyagi Prefecture, the most famous shrines for New Year's visitsOsaki Hachimangu ShrineandCity, Takekoma Shrine in Iwanuma CitySendai, and Shiogama Shrine in Shiogama CityToshogu Shrine. But did you know that Shiogama Shrine in Shiogama City has been famous as a prestigious and historically significant shrine since ancient times?

This time, we will unravel the history of Shiogama Shrine and Shibahiko Shrine!

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Two shrines located within the same grounds

It's a strange place with two huge shrines coexisting on a huge site, but originally only Shiogama Shrine was enshrined here. During the Meiji period, Shiwahiko Shrine was moved to the grounds, and now the two shrines are officially called "Shiwahiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine" and are a single corporation

Shiogama Shrine

Shiogama Shrineis a Shinto shrine located in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, and is the head shrine of all Shiogama (鹽間田, 塩間田, 塩間田, 塩釜, 塩釡) shrines throughout Japan.

the Ichinomiya (first-ranked shrine) of Mutsu Province, and was the most prestigious shrine in Mutsu Province, which is the area encompassing present-day Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, and parts of Akita.

Although the shrine ranking system has been abolished with the understanding that "all shrines are on equal footing,"some shrinesare given special treatment as "specially listed shrines" (as they are listed in the supplementary section of the shrine regulations) because treating them the same as ordinary shrines would be inconvenient due to their size.

The main deity enshrined here is Shiotsuchi-oji-no-kami, who is worshipped in the separate shrine.Additionally,Takemikazuchi-no-kami is enshrined in the left shrine, andFutsunushi-no-kamiis enshrined in the right shrine.

The grounds of Shiogama Shrine have a somewhat unusual layout. Upon entering through the gate, you'll find the Left Shrine and Right Shrine directly in front of you, whilethe separate shrine where the main deity is enshrined is located to the right.

This is thought to be because the current shrine building was constructed by the Date clan in 1704, and the accompanying deities of the left and right shrines are the guardian deities of the Date clan, and it was constructed facing the direction of Sendai Castle so that the chief priest, the lord of the Date clan, could worship them from afar from the castle at any time

Takemikazuchi-no-Kami and Futsunushi-no-Kami are considered to be military gods of the Imperial Court who were sent to pacify the Tohoku region, and Shiotsuchioji-no-Kami is said to have come to Shiogama to guide the two

even after Takemikazuchi-no-kami and Futsunushi-no-kami departed, Shiotsuchi-no-Okina-no-kami remained in this land and taught the people fishing and salt production methodsIt is said that

It is probably because of this legend that Shiotsutsuno Ojin is considered the main deity

Shiwahiko Shrine

is said to have descended to the banks of the Nanakitagawa River (also known as the Kanmuri River) that flows through Sendai CityShiwahiko-no-kami, who.

For this reason, it is said that it was originally located on the left bank of the Nanakita River in Iwakiri Village, Miyagi County (present-day Iwakiri, Miyagino Ward, Sendai City)

According to a legend written in 1695, the origin of Shiwahiko-no-kami is said to be Shiotsutsuno-o-jinja, the main deity of Shiogama Shrine, and it is also said to be the same entity as Shiwahime Shrine in Kurihara County, but there are various theories and the facts are unclear

the god of agriculture, prosperity, and national developmentHe is believed to be

a nationwide list of shrines compiled in 927,"Engishiki Jinmyocho,"Inone of only 225 Myojin Taisha (major shrines)it is listed as

However, it later fell into decline and was enshrined at Gozu Tenno Shrine (now Yasaka Shrine) in Iwakiri Village. When it was designated as a National Shrine during the Meiji period, it was relocated to the grounds of Shiogama Shrine due to the divine connection that Shibahiko-no-kami originated from Shiotsutsuno-o-jinja

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Shiogama Shrine received exceptional treatment from the government

compiled in 820the "Kōnin-shiki,", where the "Shuzai-shiki" sectionthe shrine received 10,000 bundles of offeringsmentions thatthe "Shuzai-shiki" sectionof the "Engi-shiki," compiled in 927, alsothe shrine received 10,000 bundles of offeringsrecords that

Besides Shiogama Shrine, there were only three other shrines that received religious fees from the state

• Mishima Shrine, Izu Province: 2,000 bundles
• Gassan Omonoki Shrine in Dewa Province: 2,000 bundles
• Awaji Province Yamato Daikokutama Shrine: 800 bundles

It is clear that only Shiogama Shrine was given special treatment

However,"Engishiki Jinmyocho,"of shrines compiled in the same year. It was treated as a Shikigaisha (outside the Shikinaisha), meaning it already existed at the time but was not listed in the Jinmyocho.

Despite paying such a large amount of ritual fees, it is not listed on the list...the reason for this remains a mystery to this day

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Shiogama Cherry Blossoms, designated as a national natural monument

Shiogama Shrine is home to the Shiogama cherry tree, which is also the shrine's crest. The 31 cherry trees on the shrine grounds"Shiogama Cherry Trees of Shiogama Shrine."are designated as a national natural monument under the name

Shiogama Sakura is a large-flowered double-flowered cherry tree, and based on written records, it is believed to have already been established as a cherry tree variety during the Heian period

In 1940, the famous cherry tree was designated a national natural monument, but due to its age it eventually died. As a result, the designation was lifted, but just before it died it was grafted and raised by the Shiogama Cherry Blossom Preservation Society. 54 seedlings were later planted within the temple grounds, and 31 of these were re-designated as national natural monuments in 1987

This is a historic cherry tree that has been passed down to the present day thanks to the efforts of local residents

Link:Cultural Heritage Online <Shiogama Cherry Trees of Shiogama Shrine>

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Okama Shrine, from which the name Shiogama is derived

Located in the shopping district in the center of Shiogama City, about 100 meters south of the torii gate at the entrance to the eastern (back) approach of Shiogama Shrine,"Okama Shrine,"is the

Generally, shrines that enshrine the consort or child deity of the main shrine's deity, or shrines built on the former site of the main shrine, arecalled, and those of the next rankminor shrinesare calledprecinct subsidiary shrines and precinct minor shrines, while those located outside the groundsout-of-ground subsidiary shrines and out-of-ground minor shrinesare called

The Okama Shrine housesfour hearths, which arethe ones used when Shiotsuchi-no-Okina-no-Kami, the principal deity of Shiogama Shrine, taught people how to produce salt by boiling seawatersaid to be

It's not a shrine dedicated to the consort or child deity of the main deity, nor is it the site of the original main shrine, buta shrine where tools used by the main deity are enshrined... I suppose that's why it's treated as a subordinate shrine.

that thisShiotsuchi-no-Okina-no-Kami made salt"where"Shiogama" (salt kiln)is said

Okama Shrine <Information>

• Name: Okama Shrine (a sub-shrine outside the grounds of Shiogama Shrine)
• Address: 6-1 Honmachi, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, 985-0052
• Phone number: 022-367-1611
• Official URL:http://www.shiogamajinja.jp/

Google Map

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summary

Even famous shrines often experience periods of decline during their long history, but there is no record of this happening at Shiogama Shrine.It can be said that the shrine has always been revered by the rulers of the time and loved by the local people

, whether in wartime or peacetimedietswhichthe god who presides over salt,The reason why this deity has been worshipped without interruption may be that he is

If you have a chance to visit Shiogama City, please stop by and pray

Shiwahiko Shrine and Shiogama Shrine <Information>

• Name: Shiwahiko Shrine Shiogama Shrine Office
• Address: 1-1 Ichinomoriyama, Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, 985-0074
• Phone number: 022-367-1611
• Official URL:http://www.shiogamajinja.jp/

Google Map

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