2025.04.12

Gods of Hitachi Country, Visit to the Three Shrines of the Eastern Kingdom, Kashima Shrine

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Among the gods enshrined in Hitachi Province, the three most important shrines are Kashima Shrine, Katori Shrine, and Susu Shrine. Each shrine is dedicated to gods with powerful powers since ancient times, attracting worshippers from all over the country as well as locals.

It is said that visiting the three shrines of the East Country can be of great benefit, and the mysterious journey is a special experience for history buffs and religious people. In particular, Kashima Jingu Shrine has a history of enshrining the god Takemikazuchi, who was once revered as a warrior god, and many samurai have visited to worship.

In the continuation of this lead sentence, we will delve into the charm and traditions of each shrine and take you on a journey that will give you a sense of the depth of the faith that has lasted for centuries. What kind of myths and legends are behind them, and what is the charm of the climate and culture of the eastern country that you can feel by touching them—please look forward to the continuation.

Article Contents

Hitachi Kuni Ichinomiya, the place of the samurai god shrine, Kashima Jingu Shrine
- Memories of Kashima and the mysteries of Kashima and the history engraved in place names

Hitachi Kuni Ichinomiya, the place of the samurai god shrine, Kashima Jingu Shrine

As the first step in visiting the three shrines in the eastern part of the country, I visited the Kashima Shrine, which sits in Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Surrounded by deep history and rich nature, this place was truly a sacred space. The charm of Kashima Jingu Shrine is not limited to simply visiting the shrine, but can be felt from various aspects, such as the founding myth of Japan, the origins of martial arts, and harmony with nature.

Memories of Kashima and the mysteries of Kashima and the history engraved in place names

This seemingly trivial difference between the "island" of Kashima Jingu Shrine and the "island" of Kashima City actually hides an interesting historical background. The questions that every local has are answered by Fukutaro, a reiki cat who lives in Kashima Jingu Shrine.

The time was the Heisei era. With the birth of the J.League, the Kashima Antlers made great strides, and the momentum for the merger of their hometown of Kashima, Kamisu, Hasaki, and Ono increased. "Kashima City" was the most likely candidate for the name of the new city, but unfortunately it was not possible to obtain permission to use it because there was already a city of the same name in Saga Prefecture.

This is where the arrow of the white feather came in, the ancient name "Kashima", which was listed in the Enki Shiki Shinto Name Book. The name, which evokes ancient memories, played an important role in establishing the identity of the new city.

If you go back even further, Kashima was written as "Kashima" in ancient times. Although its appearance has changed over time, it can be seen from the change in the place name that this place has been cherished as a sacred place.

The Divine Majesty of the Sacred Goddess of the Martial Hammer

The deity of Kashima Shrine is Takemikazuchi Ōkami. It is said that in the old days of the gods, he received the order of Amaterasu, and together with the god of Katori Jingu, the chief god of Kyozu, he descended to the land of Izumo and fulfilled the negotiations between the lord of the country and the transfer of the country. As a god who greatly contributed to the founding of Japan, he has been revered since ancient times.

He is also known as the god of martial arts and is also worshipped as the god of swordsmanship. His brave and courageous appearance has captured the hearts of many samurai, and Kashima Jingu has made a name for itself as a sacred place for martial arts.

From the encounter with the venerable Emperor Jimmu to the present day

The founding of Kashima Shrine dates back to the reign of the first Emperor Jimmu. It is said that when Emperor Jimmu fell into a predicament during his march to the East, he was saved by the divine majesty of the "Spirit Sword" of the Great God of the Martial Hammer. It is said that Emperor Jimmu, who was grateful for this divine favor, enshrined Ōkami here in the year of his accession to the throne.

Subsequently, Kashima Shrine was an important shrine as a base for the Eastern Expedition, and in the Nara and Heian periods, it came to be worshipped as the guardian deity of the country. The rebuilding of the shrine was also carried out once every 20 years, and its importance was demonstrated.

From the Middle Ages to the early modern period, he was revered by many warlords, such as Minamoto Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and established himself as a warrior god. They prayed for victory in war and for good luck and longevity, and visited Kashima Shrine and made large donations.

The entrance to the sanctuary, the place where the Setsue Shrine stands

When you pass through the torii gate of Kashima Jingu Shrine, you will see the Setsue Shrine on your left. The back of the torii gate is a sacred sanctuary, and when you step inside, you can feel the air change completely. The cold air tightens your body and cleanses your body and mind.

It is said that the original shrines of Numao Shrine and Sakado Shrine, which are enshrined here, were located near Kashima Shrine. By learning about the history of each shrine, you can feel the spread of faith in the region centered on Kashima Jingu.

A newly reborn treasure hall where national treasures sleep

The treasure hall, which was under construction at the time of the visit, has been reborn. This treasure museum displays a number of precious sacred treasures, including the Futsu Mitama no Tsurugi, a national treasure and the oldest and largest straight sword in Japan.

The Ryūrei Sword is a sword that is said to have saved Emperor Jimmu by the Great God of the Samurai Hammer, and can be said to be a symbol of Kashima Jingu. Its overwhelming presence captivates the viewer and invites them to the romance of antiquity.

North-facing worship hall: donation by the second Tokugawa shogun

The current shrine was dedicated by Hidetada, the second Tokugawa shogun, and is designated as an important cultural property. The unusual north-facing worship hall overwhelms worshippers with its magnificent appearance.

At the back of the worship hall sits the main shrine, where the Great God of the Martial Hammer is enshrined. In a space surrounded by silence, feel the sacred energy, offer daily thanksgiving, and pray for peace.

A thatched shrine dedicated by Okumiya and Tokugawa Ieyasu

If you continue along the approach from the worship hall, you will find the inner shrine on the right at the end. It was dedicated by Tokugawa Ieyasu and is also designated as an important cultural property. The thatched roof is covered with moss, giving it a sense of history.

In the inner shrine, the desolate soul of the Great God of the Martial Hammer is enshrined. The desolate soul is one of the aspects of God, and it is said to symbolize the power of courage and the power to overcome difficulties.

This Okumiya was dedicated by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the main shrine in 1605, but was moved to this place in 1619 when the main shrine was dedicated by the second Prince Hidetada.

Okumiya is said to be full of very powerful spiritual power. If you visit Kashima Jingu Shrine, be sure to visit it and receive strength and courage from the desolate soul of the Great God of the Martial Hammer.

Keystone: God's power to quell earthquakes

Further back in the inner shrine, there is an approach that leads to the keystone. If you walk along the approach for about 100 meters, you will see a torii gate and a fence that enshrine the keystone. This area is one of the most pleasant Iyashirochi (healing areas) in Kashima Jingu, and you can refresh your mind and body.

It is said that the reason why there are few earthquakes in Kashima City, and even if they do occur, there is little damage, is that the god of Kashima Jingu holds down this keystone.

The keystone, one of the Seven Wonders of Kashima Shrine, is a small stone with a diameter of about 40 cm above the ground, but it is said to be part of a huge keystone. There was a catfish under the keystone, and it is said that there were many earthquakes in this area because of the catfish, but by holding it down with this keystone, the damage was reduced even if an earthquake occurred.

In the past, it was said that dragons and serpents held down the keystones.

There is an anecdote that Tokugawa Mitsukuni, known as the Mito Yellow Gate, wanted to confirm the root of this keystone, so he tried to dig it back, but even if he dug it, it would return to its original state the next day, and even after seven days in a row, he could not confirm the root of the stone, so he had no choice but to stop.

The mystery of the Mitarai Pond and pure spring water

If you go back to Okumiya and go down the stairs on the left, you will find the "Mitarashi Pond". As much as 400,000 liters of water gushes out of the pond every day, and the water seeps out of the earth over a long period of time. It is so clear that you can see the bottom of the water, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

At this Mitarai Pond, a great cold ceremony is held in January every year. Men wear loincloths and white robes, and women wear white robes, and they sink into this pond and perform meditation. Performed in the extreme cold, Zen is a sacred ritual to cleanse the mind and body and welcome the beginning of a new year.

Summary: What Kashima Jingu gives us
Kashima Jingu Shrine is a shrine steeped in history and tradition dedicated to the great god Taketsuchi, who is deeply involved in the founding myth of Japan. Its sacred space gives visitors a sense of tranquility and tranquility and a reminder to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

By visiting Kashima Jingu Shrine, we can experience the ancient history and culture of Japan, learn the spirit of martial arts, and feel harmony with nature. And you will be able to receive the powerful divine virtues of the Great God of the Martial Hammer, and you will be given the courage to overcome difficulties and take a new step.

Visiting Kashima Jingu Shrine as the first step in visiting the three shrines in the East Province was an unforgettable experience for me. Through this trip, I was able to reaffirm the depth of Japan's shrines and gain new discoveries and impressions. I left Kashima Shrine with high hopes for the next visit to Katori Shrine and Susu Shrine.

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