[Takahata Town, Yamagata Prefecture] Inu no Miya and Neko no Miya are shrines dedicated to dogs and cats that exist in the birthplace of the mythical Japanese dog, the Takayasu Inu.

In the Takayasu district of Takahata Town, in the southern part of Yamagata Prefecture, there is a shrine dedicated to dogs and cats, which are rare in Japan.

we investigated the ``Inu no Miya'' and ``Neko no Miya'' located in the Takayasu district of Takahata Town, which is also the birthplace of the mythical Japanese dog ``Takayasu which is now

The Takayasu area of ​​Takahata Town is also the birthplace of the mythical Japanese dog “Takayasu Inu”

The Takayasu dog is a type of Japanese dog that was once bred in the Takayasu district of Takahata town, and was considered an excellent matagi dog and a hunting partner, but it is said to have become extinct in the early Showa era. .

There is extremely little information about the Takayasu dog, and the characteristics that have been passed down through oral tradition are as follows.

• Physique: Medium-sized dog with a muscular and toned body
• Body hair: tiger hair or white
• Ear type: Brown with erect ears.
• Tail: Curled tail.
• Personality: Loyal, but only attached to people he likes.

It is said that its roots come from the "Kai Inu" that appears in the origin of Inu no Miya (mentioned later), but the truth is unknown.

It became known nationwide after it appeared in Yukio Togawa's short story ``Takayasu Inu Monogatari,'' which won the 32nd (second half of 1954) Naoki Prize

``Takayasu Inu Monogatari'' is a work depicting ``Chin'', the last of the Takayasu dogs.

, which have a different atmosphere from those at regular shrines and look more like Shiba Inu, are said to be modeled after Takayasu dogs.

Origin of Inu no Miya

Inunomiya is located on top of a small mountain, right next to the parking lot of ``Dog and Cat Yasuragi no Sato Park'' in the Takayasu district of Takahata Town

The approach to the shrine is not very long, and you can reach the main hall within a minute's walk. Although I described it as being "on top of a mountain," you can visit here quite comfortably.

According to the history of Inu no Miya, it is said to have been founded around the Wado era (708-714), and although it is a shrine with quite a long history, it is well-maintained and well-maintained, and is loved and cherished by the locals. I can feel that you are there.

The origin of Inunomiya, as stated on Takahata Town's official website, is as follows.

During the Wado era (708-714), an official came from the capital and gathered the villagers together and said, ``For a long time, this village cultivated fields without paying annual tax, but starting this year, instead of paying annual tax, children were raised every spring and fall.'' The village was very sad and troubled.
One year, the head of the temple got lost on his way back from Manjushu Temple and asked for a place to stay for the night, which turned out to be the house that offered him this year's annual tax.

One night, Zato overheard an official appear and, while eating a feast, remind him over and over again, ``Don't let the three-haired and four-haired dogs of Kai know about this.'' He borrowed a three-haired dog and a four-haired dog, gave him a lot of wisdom, and left the village.

The villagers immediately invited the government official to a drinking party, and when he became intoxicated, they unleashed two dogs on him, which caused a huge brawl. When the area was quiet, I timidly looked into the parlor and found two calf-like raccoon dogs and many dead raccoon dogs piled on top of each other in a sea of ​​blood. Nearby, a three-haired dog and a four-haired dog were also lying lifeless. The villagers desperately tried to treat the dog, but in the end the dog died.

It is said that the dog that saved this village should be made the guardian of the village, and the place where it was enshrined is now known as Inu no Miya.

Source: Takahata Town Official Website – Inunomiya

When I saw the origin of this, I suddenly remembered a legend.

the ``Benbeko Taro Legend'' that is passed down at Myoken Shrine in Tendo City, also in Yamagata Prefecture . Although the details are different, the general outline of the story is the same: ``A dog brought from a faraway place kills a mischievous raccoon dog.''

Benbeko Taro comes from the province of Shinano (around present-day Nagano prefecture), and Inu no Miya comes from Kai province (around present-day Yamanashi prefecture), so the areas where the dogs come from are also very similar.

As the story that was passed down to Yamagata in the past spread through other people, it may have taken root in the local area, changing its form slightly. That side is also interesting.

By the way, the legend of Benbeko Taro probably came from an exchange between Yamadera/Tateishokuji and Kozenji in Nagano Prefecture There is a theory that If you are interested, please read the article below.

Tohoku Rokken trivia media: NEFT

Related article

[Yamagata Prefecture] The place of fierce battles between dogs and raccoon dogs in Tendo City! Myoken Shrine, where the legend of Benbeko Taro remains

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/27264

In Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, there is the ``Benbeko Taro Legend,'' which can be said to be the Yamagata version of the famous folk tale ``Shippei Taro Legend,'' which has been passed down in Nagano and Shizuoka prefectures. To summarize, the story is about a brave dog defeating a monster that annoys the villagers by demanding sacrifices, but Benbeko Taro's grave actually exists at Myoken Shrine in Tendo City. The legend of Benbeko Taro passed down in Tendo Once upon a time, a traveling monk visited this place. There is no lodging in the village, so the monk decides to stay at a villager's house. After dinner, the family member would sometimes look sad, so the monk asked why, and the monk...

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Inu no Miya <Information>

• Name: Inunomiya
• Address: Takayasu, Takahata-machi, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
• Official URL: Takahata Town Official HP – Inu no Miya

Google Maps

Origin of cat palace

Neko no Miya (Neko no Miya) is located right next to Inu no Miya, ``Done and Cat Yasuragi no Sato Park''

In contrast to Inu no Miya, which has a solemn atmosphere surrounded by mountains, this shrine has a calm atmosphere surrounded by idyllic rural scenery.

According to the origin story of Neko-no-miya, it is said to have been founded around the Enrei era (781-805), about 70 years after Inu-no-miya, and like Inu-no-miya, it is a shrine with a long history and has been well-maintained. and is well managed.

The origin of the cat palace is connected to the story of the dog palace. Why ``70 years later?'' You can find out by reading the origin below.

During the Enreki era (781-805), a couple, Shoemon and Omine, lived in Takayasu Village, who had been family heads for generations and were pious.
The two had no children and loved their cats dearly, but for some reason they died of illness one after another. I was praying that I would be blessed with a strong cat this time. One night, Kannon Bodhisattva appeared in the same dream and told him, ``I will give you a cat, so please take good care of it.'' The next morning, a calico cat appeared in the garden, and the couple were very happy and named it Tama.They treasured it as much as a child. I was growing up. Tama also became increasingly attached to the couple, and was loved very much because she hunted all the rats in the village.

The ball mysteriously followed Omine wherever she went.
Not only when I wake up, but especially when I go to the bathroom, I stare at the ceiling and growl with my ears to the side as if I'm about to pounce. Omine felt bad for her and told her husband about it.

When the husband went to the toilet disguised as his wife, the ball made the same gesture. Shoemon became increasingly suspicious, and the moment he shook the cat's head off with the sword he had hidden, the head flew into the air and landed in the attic. I was bitten by a huge snake that was hiding.
This giant snake licked the blood of the grudge of an old raccoon dog that was killed by a three-haired dog and a four-haired dog some 70 years ago, and was aiming to get revenge someday, but because the ball is protecting it. I couldn't help it.
When the couple learned about this, they were very saddened and told the villagers about this, and they carefully buried the remains of the cat that had protected the peace of the village, built a shrine, and held memorial services twice in spring and autumn.

Source: Takahata Town Official Website – Neko no Miya

...The grudge of the raccoon dog who remained in this world for 70 years to settle his grudge is amazing, but the story of the village head couple killing the cat who was protecting them out of suspicion is a really sad story. A cat who protected her even after being betrayed by her master. That's excellent.

Cat Palace＜Information＞

• Name: Neko no Miya
• Address: 910 Takayasu, Takahata-cho, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture
• Official URL: Takahata Town Official HP – Nekonomiya

Google Maps

"National Pet Memorial Festival" held every year since 1988

As the shrine enshrines dogs and cats, which are rare even in Japan, many people dedicate their pets' remains to the two shrines for memorial services . A festival is being held.

Advance reservations are required, but a memorial service for pets will be held with a sutra recitation by the chief priest "Rinsho-in,"

In September 2022, "Dog and Cat Yasuragi Sato Park" will open, with a stone charnel house (for pets) and pavilion (rest facility) made from locally produced Takahata stone, and a place with photos and names of pets. There is also a memory plate display wall and parking lot where you can paste your special plate.

Overview of National Pet Memorial Festival

• Inquiries: Takahata Town Tourism Association (Telephone number: 0238-57-3844)
• Participation fee: 4,000 yen Price for one memorial service (including prayer fee, pagoda, sekihan, and souvenirs)
  • Additional charge of 2,000 yen for the second memorial service (sekihan and souvenirs not included)
  • ``Toba'' and ``Onote'' are charged separately (Toba: 800 yen/piece, banknote: 500 yen/piece)

Dog and Cat Peace Park <Information>

• Name: Takayasu Dog and Cat Peace Park
• Address: 910 Takayasu, Takahata-cho, Higashiokitama-gun, Yamagata 992-0313

Google Maps

summary

I learned that ``Inu no Miya'' and ``Neko no Miya,'' which are rare even nationwide, have a long history and are loved by locals and passed down from generation to generation. During this interview, I also learned for the first time that there was a Japanese dog called the "Takayasu Inu."

Takahata Town in Yamagata Prefecture is famous for producing Japanese wine, and I think it's a place pet lovers should definitely visit at least once!