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Located in the northwest of Miyagi Prefecture, Osaki City has the third largest population in the prefecture after Sendai City and Ishinomaki City
While it is a city that forms the "Osaki Metropolitan Area" together with surrounding cities and towns it is also a fertile land that is home to the "Osaki Kōdo" which has been designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
In the Tajiri district of Osaki City, there is Osaki Hachiman Shrine, the main branch of Osaki Hachiman Shrine, a national treasure in Sendai City
The entrance to Osaki Hachiman Shrine
The origin of Osaki Hachiman Shrine
According to records from the Miyagi Prefecture Shrines Association, this place was originally the site of Komatsu Shrine, the guardian deity of the " Shinden no Saku " (Stone Barrier), which was established by the Imperial Court in 737 as a measure against the Emishi (Ezo), but as measures against the Emishi progressed, the Shinden no Saku was abolished and Komatsu Shrine, its guardian deity, was also relocated to what is now Sakocho, Tome City.
Then, about 300 years later, in 1057, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, as the commander of the naval district and governor of Mutsu Province, was ordered to put down the Abe Rebellion, and his son Yoshiie, known as Hachiman Taro , and set up camp at Tengu-ga-oka (present-day Tajiri-Hachiman area in Osaki City). This was one scene in the battle known as no Eki (Forty-nine Years' War)
Facing fierce resistance from the Abe clan, Yoriyoshi's army was struggling, with low morale and difficulty in procuring drinking water. At that time, Hachiman (Emperor Ojin) appeared in Yoshiie's dream and told him of a spring of drinking water, which boosted the morale of his troops and led to a brilliant defeat of the enemy army
Upon his triumphant return, he enshrined Iwashimizu Hachiman at the site of the former Komatsu Shrine, the guardian deity of the Shinden fence, and enshrined his weapons. This is said to be the beginning of this shrine
The Osaki clan, who were appointed as the governor of Mutsu Province, rebuilt the shrine through their ancestral connections
Plaque at Osaki Hachiman Shrine
Osaki (Shiba) Iekane was appointed Oshu Kanrei (later Oshu Tandai) by order of Shogun Ashikaga Takauji and moved to this area. Upon learning that the shrine had been established by his distant ancestor, Minamoto no Yoshiie, he rebuilt the shrine buildings and restored the rituals in 1361, the five Osaki districts (Shida, Tamatsukuri, Kami, Toda, and Kurihara counties).
How Osaki Hachiman Shrine was moved to Sendai
Further time passed, and in 1590, Yoshitaka , the Osaki family was stripped of its title for not participating in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's siege of Odawara Castle (Oshu Shioki) .
In 1591, the year after the downfall of the Osaki clan in the aforementioned Oshu Shioki, the Kasai-Osaki Rebellion broke out among the Kasai clan, whose domain had been abolished like the Osaki clan, and their former retainers, but was put down by Gamo Ujisato and Date Masamune.
Later, this land became the territory of the Date clan, and Date Masamune, who moved his castle to Iwadeyama, revered this Osaki Hachiman Shrine and enshrined it within the Iwadeyama domain. This is said to be the other Osaki Hachiman Shrine that still stands today, located on the border of Iwadeyama Shimonome in Osaki City
Osaki Hachiman Shrine in Shimonome-sakai, Iwadeyama, Osaki City
When the shrine was moved from Iwadeyama to Sendai, it was enshrined in Sendai along with Narushima Hachimangu ShrineOsaki Hachimangu Shrine, .
Even after it was moved to Sendai, Osaki Hachiman Shrine in Tajiri was rebuilt by the Date clan and designated as a local shrine in 1872
worship hall
The worship hall of Osaki Hachiman Shrine and the old worship hall visible in the background
The current worship hall was built in October 1992
The Shinmei-style worship hall of Osaki Hachiman Shrine
It is a magnificent Shinmei-style worship hall with a gabled roof, impressive katsuogi beams, and sword-like chigi rafters
Old worship hall
Former worship hall of Osaki Hachiman Shrine
The old worship hall remains to the side of the current one
Main shrine
The main hall of Osaki Hachiman Shrine
The main hall is located behind the current worship hall. The main deity, Hachiman (Emperor Ojin), is enshrined here.
Horse-shaped cedar
Umagata Cedar at Osaki Hachiman Shrine (a town-designated natural monument)
It is called Umagata Cedar because the shape of its roots resembles the kidneys, hind legs, and rump of a horse
summary
is located in Sendai, but its name is " Osaki ." I've often wondered where it came from, but I never really thought about it that deeply, but now I've finally solved the mystery!
Although the shrine stands alone in a peaceful rural area, the magnificent construction of the shrine building gives it the air of the main branch of Osaki Hachiman Shrine
Osaki Hachiman Shrine has been revered by the feudal lords of the Sengoku period, the Osaki and Date clans, and continues to this day. If you are interested, be sure to visit
Osaki Hachiman Shrine <Information>
Name: Osaki Hachiman Shrine
Address: 16 Tajiri Yawata Gotenzaka, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-4411
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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