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[Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture] Visit a nationally designated natural monument! What is the pegmatite dike at Kashima Daijingu Shrine?

We would like to introduce you to Kashima Daijingu Shrine in Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, a unique power spot where you can worship a nationally designated natural monument

The sacred object of Kashima Daijingu Shrine is a gigantic pegmatite dyke. Due to its rarity, having remained intact to this day, it has been designated a national natural monument. Visitors are sure to be in awe of its overwhelming scale

This article delves into trivia about Kashima Daijingu Shrine and pegmatite. If you enjoy visiting power spots, be sure to check it out

Fukushima was once a major producer of pegmatite

Pegmatite is a type of igneous rock that consists of large mineral crystals. It is formed when magma cools and solidifies, and is sometimes called megagranite or onigiri

Pegmatite is primarily composed of quartz, which has long been used in the production of glass and optical lenses. In addition to quartz, various other elements appear as crystals. Demand for this mineral was particularly high during the war, as it was also extracted to produce catalysts for the production of raw materials for ships. The Abukuma Mountains in Fukushima Prefecture are a major producer of pegmatite, and Ishikawa Town in Fukushima Prefecture also has pegmatite minerals that have been designated as a natural monument of Fukushima Prefecture

Mining in various areas progressed during the Showa era, and few of the mines remain as they were in the past. The pegmatite mines in the Abukuma Mountains are no exception, and no mines remain today

Kashima Daijingu Shrine with a history of over 1,200 years

Kashima Daijingu Shrine is a shrine located in Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture

Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, is an area located in the easternmost part of Koriyama City. It is an area that retains strong traces of good old traditions, with Takashiba Deco Yashiki, which produces the traditional craft " Miharukoma ," and ancient shrines and temples with rich stories.

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT
Takashiba Deco Yashiki is a village of local toys that remains within the territory of the former Miharu domain [Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/37681
Did you know that there is a craftsman's village called "Takashiba Deco Yashiki" near the prefectural border with Miharu Town, about a 25-minute drive from Koriyama Station? It gained attention after appearing in Season 9/Episode 9 of the popular TV drama "Solitary Gourmet," and is known as the "hometown of local toys," a tradition that has been passed down from the Edo period to the present day. What is Takashiba Deco Yashiki? Takashiba Deco Yashiki's sign: Takashiba Deco Yashiki's origins date back approximately 300 years, during the Genroku period (1688-1704) of the Edo period, when a person from Kamigata (the Kyoto-Osaka region) settled in this area, then called Takashiba Village, and began making papier-mâché dolls to make a living...
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It is said that the origins of Kashima Daijingu Shrine date back to the first year of the Ten'o era, when Otomo Asaka no Renmaru Furube Kosami of Asaka County enshrined Kashima Shrine in Hitachi Province here. Converting the first year of the Ten'o era to the Gregorian calendar, this corresponds to 781-782, meaning that the shrine has a history of over 1,200 years

The sacred object of Kashima Daijingu Shrine is a huge pegmatite dyke. Since ancient times, Japan has practiced a style of worship known as iwakura, in which rocks or stones are worshipped as sacred objects. In ancient Shinto, it was believed that gods reside in everything in nature. For this reason, the huge pegmatite boulder that is the sacred object of Kashima Daijingu Shrine has been treasured since ancient times. It is rare for such a large rock to be exposed on the earth's surface under natural conditions, and because it is the sacred object, the rock dyke has been spared from mining, making it rare and highly valuable from an academic perspective. The pegmatite dyke at Kashima Daijingu Shrine has also been designated a national natural monument

I actually visited Kashima Daijingu Shrine

I'll share my experience visiting Kashima Daijingu Shrine. The parking lot is across the street and is spacious. According to a sign, there is a 14,000 ton dyke within the shrine grounds. The Tokyo Tower weighs roughly 4,000 tonnes, so perhaps I can convey the idea by saying that there is a "massive amount" of rock

Once you pass through the first torii gate, you will see the shrine office in the back left. There is also a water basin in front of the shrine office

What appears to be pegmatite can also be seen at the dragon's feet

Once you pass through the second torii gate, you will see rows of cedar trees lining the approach to the shrine. Some of the trees are about 400 years old, and their towering, sturdy appearance is truly impressive. The " Kashima Daijingu Cedars " were designated a green cultural asset of Fukushima Prefecture in 2009. The pair of husband and wife cedar trees are also said to bring good fortune.

After climbing the stone steps, you finally reach the worship hall. The grounds are so quiet, it's as if all sounds are absorbed. Even the rustling of leaves and the chirping of birds seem strangely soft

The plaque bearing the name "Kashima Daijingu" has a dazzling and solemn atmosphere. The decorations on the pillars are also intricately crafted

First, worship

If you look to the left of the shrine building, you will begin to see a huge pegmatite dyke

The sight of the huge rock formations is truly impressive, with large crystals visible on the exposed rock surfaces

The dike stretches upward along the slope, so looking up from the base gives you a better sense of its size. You'll be able to understand firsthand why it has been worshipped as a sacred object since ancient times

There is also a magnificent Kagura hall within the shrine grounds, which was once used to dedicate the Taiko Kagura dance to Kashima Daijingu Shrine during the spring and autumn festivals

Not only the sacred object made of pegmatite dike, but everything in the temple grounds exuded a solemn atmosphere

Kashima Daijingu Shrine <Information>

  • Name: Kashima Daijingu Shrine
  • Address: 239 Miyasaku, Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
  • Phone: 024-971-3276
  • Website: https://kashimadaijingu.jp/

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The one and only power spot, Kashima Daijingu Shrine

This time we picked out and introduced the pegmatite dike at Kashima Daijingu Shrine

Kashima Daijingu Shrine is a large pegmatite dyke that was once mined as a raw material for industrial products and has been preserved as it was in the past as a sacred object. It has been designated a national natural monument and will continue to be cherished and passed down to future generations

Having actually visited Kashima Daijingu Shrine, I was able to experience firsthand why it is known as a power spot. The grounds are in comfortable harmony with nature, and it helps to clear away any sorrows from the heart. Also, standing before the impressive-sized pegmatite dike deity, I felt as if I had been rejuvenated, encouraging me to face myself more closely and live a better life from tomorrow. (This is my personal opinion.)

If you want to see the dikes or get some energy, be sure to visit. However, it is believed that the pegmatite dikes at Kashima Daijingu Shrine have remained intact to this day thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the local community. Please remember to be mindful of your manners so that we can pass on this wonderful heritage to future generations

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