The origins of Awa Shurine

Awa Shurine

Awanokuni Itinomiya

The origins of Awa Shrine

According to legend, Awa Shrine was built over 2,670 years ago. Amenotominomikoto, who was ordered by Emperor Jimmu to cultivate fertile land, first cultivated the land of Awa-Tokushima, and later moved to Ibe, where hemp and grain were cultivated. ” and landed at Fura (Komagasaki) on the southern tip of Boso. Amantomi no Mikoto designated Mount Fura as Ogamiyama and Goddess Mountain, and enshrined his grandfather Tentatama no Mikoto and his grandmother Amenohiritomenomikoto. This is said to be the birth of Awa Shrine. This land also produced good hemp and grain, and the name came to be called Hemp → Millet → Awa'' becausethis land is a place where good hemp grows.”

Amantomi no Mikoto, the god of development in Awa Province, received permission from the imperial court to build the shrines of Awa Shrine, Susaki Shrine, Sumiya Shrine, Shimotate Matsubara Shrine, and Nagoshiyama Shrine, and these shrines became venerable shrines.

Awa Shrine has been widely revered to this day as a shrine with the highest rank in the shrine ranking system since ancient times, including Engishikinaisha, Awa no Uchiichinomiya, and Kanpei Taisha.

The approach to Awa Shrine used to be a pine forest. After that, it became the row of cherry blossom trees we see today.

The approach to Awa Shrine used to be a pine forest. After that, it became the cherry blossom trees that we see today

Part of the bank of the pond in front of the shrine office was damaged during the Great Kanto Earthquake, and it was repaired with the help of parishioners.

God of Awa Shrine

Uenomiya(Hongu)

Main enshrined deity

Amenofutodama noMikoto

The god of the founding of all industries in Japan

Following enshurined deity

Amenohiritome no Mikoto

The Qeen of Amenofutodama no Mikoto

About the main enshrined deity Amenofutodama no Mikoto

Amenofutodama no Mikoto, the main deity enshrined at Uenonomiya, was a god who served near Amaterasu Omikami in the distant ancient times, and the Saibe clan (who together with the Nakatomi clan presided over rituals (festivals) at the imperial court) He is considered the ancestral deity of the Inbe clan.

When Amaterasu Omikami became angry with the violent behavior of her younger brother, Susanoo no Mikoto, and holed herself up in the cave of heaven, she joined forces with Amenokoyane no mikoto, the ancestor of the Nakatomi clan. At the same time, a festival is held to pray for the appearance of Omikami, but the deity we enshrine also directs the gods of Inbe, led by himself, and carries out the mirrors and beads that are essential for this festival. He is in charge of the creation of shrines etc., and is revered as the ancestor of all industries in Japan.

Sitanomiya(Sesya)

Main enshrined deity

Amenotomi no Mikoto

Grandchild god of Amenofutodama no Mikoto

Amenooshihi no Mikoto

Brother god of Amenofutodama no Mikoto

Itsukushimasya (Masha)

Main enshrined deity

Ichikishimahime no Mikoto

God of the sea protecting maritime traffic

Kotohirasya(Masya)

Main enshrined deity

Omononushi no Kami

God of maritime traffic and navigational safety

Okariya

The annual festival of Awa Shrine, the No. 1 shrine in Awa, is held on August 10th every year, and in ancient times it was also called the Hamaori Festival. There is a story that mikoshi from the shrine dedicated to Awa Shrine were lined up on the shore of nearby Aihama and people visited Awa Shrine.

In the past, mikoshi from nine shrines were enshrined in this shrine: Sumiya, Furazaki, Aohama, Kumano, Inuishi, Yasaka, Hiyoshi, Shimotatematsubara, and Mishima (Shirahama).

Although it is no longer possible to have all 9 shrines together, please take a look at what kind of mikoshi it is.