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Just one stop from JR Sendai Station on the Senzan Line is Toshogu Station, home to theSendai Toshogu Shrine,.
A shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, founded by Date Tadamune, the second lord of the Sendai domain
Sendai Toshogu Shrine was founded in 1654 by Date Tadamune, the second lord of the Sendai domainToshodai Gongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu). It is said to offer divine blessings for good fortune, protection from evil, family safety, academic success, business prosperity, and victory.
Sendai Toshogu Shrine's worship hall
In 1591, after Tokugawa Ieyasu had finished inspecting the suppression of the Kasai-Osaki Rebellion, he is said to have rested with Date Masamune in the grounds of Tenjin Shrine (now Tsutsujigaoka Tenmangu Shrine), which was located here at the time, in what is now Tsutsujigaoka, Miyagino Ward, Sendai City. Also, because it is located exactly northeast of Sendai Castle, this location is said to have been chosen as the guardian deity of the Sendai domain, serving as a guardian deity for the unlucky direction
The construction of Sendai Toshogu Shrine was a major project that drew on the efforts of the domain
In May 1649, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate, gave permission to solicit the construction of Toshogu Shrine, and construction began in August 1649. Construction was completed five years later in 1654, along with the temples such as Betsudoji and Sengakuin, which still stand on the site today
This was a massive project involving the entire Sendai domain, andmore than 800,000 people were involved in its construction at the time, with a total cost of 22,443 gold coinsit is said that
For reference only, if we assume the current price of rice is approximately 2,000 yen for 5 kg, then one ryo at that time was approximately 60,000 yen, meaning the total construction costover 1.3 billion yenwould be
Miyamachi Shopping Street, which developed as a temple town for Sendai Toshogu Shrine
Miyacho Shopping Street is located north of the current JR Sendai Station. As you might imagine from the long street that leads all the way to Sendai Toshogu Shrine, this area was originally"Miyamachi"and was designated as a temple town when the Toshogu Shrine was built. Before the opening of Sendai Station, it was the longest north-south road in Sendai, stretching all the way to the Hirose River.
At that time, residents"Toshogu official servants,"and were assigned roles such as "cleaning the shrine grounds" and "decorating the portable shrine" during the Toshogu Shrine festival. In return, they received economic benefits such as partial exemption from taxes.
Numerous cultural assets remain within the temple grounds today
Sendai Toshogu Shrine has suffered from numerous disasters, including fires and earthquakes, but many important cultural properties remain within the shrine grounds
stone torii
Stone torii gate of Sendai Toshogu Shrine (a national important cultural property)
This stone torii gate was donated by Date Tadamune, the founder of Sendai Toshogu Shrine. The gate's pillars bear the inscription "Shoo 3 (1654), April 17th," makingthe oldest existing torii gate in Miyagi Prefecture.
stone lantern
Stone lantern and Zuishinmon gate of Sendai Toshogu Shrine (National Important Cultural Property)
were donated by members of the Date family and their retainers. After the famous"Date Disturbance", the stone lanterns donated by the retainers involved in the incident were removed, and currently, 38 lanterns remain on the temple grounds, including those donated afterward.
28 of them are lined up along the stone steps of Omotesando
Zuijinmon Gate
Zuishinmon Gate of Sendai Toshogu Shrine (a nationally important cultural property)
This gate is the main gate of Sendai Toshogu Shrine, and was originally covered with copper tiles and had decorative metal fittings at key points, but these were stripped away by government forces during the Boshin War
Main hall, Karamon gate, and lattice fence
Sendai Toshogu Shrine's main hall, Karamon gate, and lattice fence (National Important Cultural Property)
Inside is a gorgeously decorated house-shaped shrine, where the statue of the main deity, Tosho Daigongen (Tokugawa Ieyasu), is enshrined. The main hall, Karamon gate, and latticework fence were also decorated with metal ornaments at the time, but like the Zuijinmon gate mentioned above, these were stripped away by the Imperial Army during the Boshin War
In addition, the Chozuya (purification fountain) is a designated tangible cultural property of Miyagi Prefecture, and the stone steps of Omotesando are registered as tangible cultural properties of Sendai City
The main hall, which is what most visitors notice, was unfortunately destroyed by arson in 1935 and was rebuilt in 1964
Toshogu Shrine Festival (Sendai Festival) is a precious festival that takes place only once every five years
The Toshogu Shrine Festival began in 1655 to commemorate the time when the sacred object was carried in a portable shrine from Edo (present-day Tokyo) to Sendai, a journey that took seven days. At that time, the festival procession involved thousands of people and attracted spectators from far and wide, making it Sendai's largest festival,the "Sendai Festival."also known as
Its history was interrupted during the Meiji era, but it was revived during the Taisho era, and ita precious festival that is held only once every five yearsis
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
