2025.04.12

Gods of Hitachi Country, Oiwa Shrine Part 2

vibration

Oiwa Shrine. The name of the temple conveys to the present day the gods that have lived in this land since ancient times and the faith that has been fused since the introduction of Buddhism, and it is worthy of being called a sacred place of Shinto and Buddhist practice. Continuing from the previous issue, this time we will explore this mysterious space in more depth, unraveling the unique atmosphere of Shinto and Buddhism, and the historical transition from the Meiji Restoration to the present day.

Article Contents

A sacred place of Buddhist practice, tracing the eternal history
- What is Shintoism: From nature worship to state Shinto

A sacred place of Buddhist practice, tracing the eternal history

When you start walking along the path, you will feel as if you have stepped into another world. The dignified and refreshing air caressed my skin, and the surrounding trees conveyed a vibrant energy.

The murmur of the clear stream flowing nearby calms the mind and encourages deep breathing. It is a luxurious time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and where you can feel the breath of nature with your whole body.

On the side of the approach, the mossy landscape is beautiful, like a Japan garden. The space is shrouded in silence, as if time has stopped. The green carpet-like moss is a work of art created by nature over a long period of time, and its beauty takes your breath away. Old shrines are scattered around, each standing quietly as a witness to history. These shrines once inhabit the gods that the local people worshipped with their wishes, and their existence tells us that this place has been an object of worship since ancient times.

As you proceed along the approach, you will see the majestic appearance of the Lou Gate (Dainiomon Gate). The vivid color of vermilion creates a contrast with the surrounding greenery, making its presence even more pronounced. The gate serves as a barrier separating the sacred realm from the mundane world, and by passing through it, one can purify one's mind and body and prepare to enter the sacred space.

Here, I would like to touch on Shinto and Buddhism, two religions that form the basis of the spiritual culture of Japan people.

What is Shintoism: From nature worship to state Shinto

Shinto has its origins in the nature worship of the peoples that originally existed in the Japan archipelago. Since ancient times, Japan people have been in awe of the gods, believing that they dwell in nature, such as mountains, rivers, seas, and forests. Natural phenomena such as the sun, moon, wind, and thunder are also revered as manifestations of the gods, and we have offered thanks and prayers in our daily lives.

However, the primitive worship of nature has not retained its form today. Even the oldest shrine in Japan enshrines the gods that appear in the "Kojiki and Japan Shoki" compiled by the Yamato Imperial Court. These myths are the founding myths of Japan and tell the story of the gods centered on Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor god of the emperor.

The original Shinto religion worshipped gods who had no name or form that dwelled in various things such as rocks, the sea, large trees, and large boulders, and prayed for a bountiful harvest and no illness or disaster. The spirit of appreciating the blessings of nature and valuing coexistence with nature is deeply rooted in the lives of modern Japan.

Three cedars and forest giants of Mt. Oiwa

As you walk along the approach, you will see a huge tree with an overwhelming presence. These are the three cedars of Mt. Oiwa. The 600-year-old cedar tree is a designated natural monument of Ibaraki Prefecture and has been selected as one of the "100 Giants of the Forest" by the Forestry Agency.

The "100 Selections of Giants in the Forest" is a selection of representative giant trees and giant trees by the Forestry Agency, focusing on forest ecosystems centered on giant trees and giant trees that should be preserved in a healthy manner as assets for the next generation. As the name suggests, the three cedars stand tall with three trunks splitting from the base, and their appearance is truly spectacular. The appearance of it stretching powerfully toward the heavens makes you feel the power of life and overwhelms the viewer.

There is a special air around the three cedars. As if protected by a sacred barrier, the space is quiet and serene. When you touch the base of a huge tree, the energy of the earth seems to be transmitted. The three cedars, which have lived for a long time, have been watching over the history of this area, and their presence symbolizes the sacredness of Mt. Oiwa.

What is Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment

Buddhism is a religion that originated in India, and began with the enlightenment of Gautama Siddhartha (Buddha), who existed around the 5th century BC. The Buddha deeply explored the causes of human suffering and confusion and found solutions. His teachings were systematized as the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, and influenced many people.

A person who has attained enlightenment is called a Buddha or Buddha. The goal of Buddhist teachings is to "attain enlightenment" and "become a Buddha." In Buddhism, the goal is to be free from suffering by cutting off disturbing thoughts and attaining peace of mind.

Various sects have arisen from Buddhism, and Buddhism in Japan is one of the Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes not only self-enlightenment but also the salvation of others. He believes in various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, such as Guanyin Bodhisattva and Yakushi Nyorai, and aims to save people.

It is said to be Theravada Buddhism that is believed in Southeast Asia and other countries, and it is very different from Mahayana Buddhism. (The difference is that Mahayana Buddhism believes in various Buddhas, such as Kannon-sama and Yakushi Nyorai, and emphasizes saving people, while Theravada Buddhism believes in only one Buddha and concentrates on his own practice.) ）

Sai Shrine: A symbol of Shinto Buddhist practice

If you go through the tower gate and continue along the approach, you will see the Sai Shrine. Sai Shrine is a valuable place that conveys the appearance of Shinto Buddhist practice to the present day.

The shrine enshrines Shinto gods, such as the main god of the heavenly kingdom, the high emperor spirit god, the god emperor spirit god, the eight-fold hikokami, and the eight-sided god of the eight-fold hikokami. However, the Sai Shrine also enshrines Buddhist Buddha statues, the Dainichi Nyorai Statue (Kamakura period) and the Amitabha Nyorai Statue (Muromachi period). These Buddha statues were once enshrined as the main shrines of Dainichi-do and Jonen-butsu-do.

Sai Shrine is a symbolic place of Shinto and Buddhist practice, where Shinto gods and Buddhist Buddha statues exist in the same space. Shinto and Buddhism are different religions, but they have coexisted and fused to create a form of faith unique to Japan. The Sai Shrine can be said to be a valuable evidence of its historical background to the present day.

The aforementioned Lou Gate (Daini-o-mon) and this Sai Shrine are exactly the appearance of a mixture of gods and Buddhas.

A bridge to a sacred place

Near the Sai Shrine is the Gokami Bridge. The Gojin Bridge is a bridge that leads to the sacred area, and by crossing it, you can step into an even more sacred space. From the top of the bridge, you can see the beautiful scenery of the surrounding nature, and you will feel as if your heart is washed.

A komainu in front of the Oiwa Shrine, a guardian of the sacred area

On the way across the Gokami Bridge and on the way to the Oiwa Shrine, there is a komainu dog. Komainu is responsible for guarding the entrance to the shrine and is revered as protecting the sanctuary from evil things. The komainu at Miiwa Shrine has a powerful and dignified appearance, welcoming worshippers and protecting the sacred space.

Oiwa Shrine, a place where you can feel the breath of the gods

The Miiwa Shrine enshrines 22 other gods, including Kunitsune Ritsuson, Ōkuni Nushi Mikoto, Izanagi Mikoto, Izanami Mikoto, and others. These gods are important deities in Japan mythology, each with a different role and watching over people's lives.

Miiwa Shrine is a sacred place where the gods dwell, and visitors can feel the breath of the gods and gain peace of mind. When you pray quietly in front of the shrine, you will feel a sense of cleansing your heart and gain new strength.

Separation of Shinto and Buddhist religion and conversion to state Shinto

In the first year of the Meiji Era (1868), the new Meiji government adopted the policy of Shinto national religion in order to realize the ideals of "restoration of the monarchy" and "unity of the festival government", and issued a decree for the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in order to prohibit the mixing of Shinto and Buddhism, which had been widely practiced until then.

It is one of the measures to centralize the country of Japan and catch up with Western civilization, and the state Shinto is established. The decree for the separation of Shinto and Buddhist religions was a major turning point in the history of religion in Japan, and its influence is still felt in the appearance of modern shrines and temples.

In addition to ordering priests who served at the shrine to return to secularism, it was also forbidden to offer Buddhist objects to Shinto gods and to make "gods" into Buddha images. Genzoku: A person who has become a monk renounces being a monk who adheres to the precepts and returns to being a layman or layman.

Oiwa Shrine was also renamed from Oiwayama Daigongen to Oiwa Shrine due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhist shrines. At the same time, temple buildings such as Niomon Gate, Jonen Buddha Hall, Hyakkannon Hall, and Daimedo Hall were destroyed. However, Niomon was rebuilt in Heisei 3 and has regained its former appearance.

Challenge to Mt. Oiwa and Mt. Jintai

Next, climb Mt. Oiwa, a huge rock seat, which is the sacred body of the Oiwa Shrine. Mt. Oiwa is a sacred mountain where the gods dwell, and from the top of the mountain, you can see a spectacular view. The trail is steep in some places, but you can proceed slowly while enjoying the rich natural scenery.

Climbing Mt. Oiwa requires physical strength, but the scenery that awaits you is exceptional. The sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit is indescribable.

Miiwa Shrine is a valuable place that conveys the history of Shinto Buddhist practice to the present day, and its mysterious atmosphere continues to fascinate visitors. Why don't you visit Oiwa Shrine once and enjoy its history and nature?