2025.04.13

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

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Hitachi Province is known as a place of worship since ancient times, where many gods are enshrined. Of particular note are the "Three Shrines of the East Country", consisting of Kashima Shrine, Katori Shrine, and Susu Shrine. These shrines are deeply intertwined with history and culture, providing a mystical charm to visitors.

In particular, the shrine is a place that gently welcomes visitors while exuding a mysterious atmosphere. By visiting this shrine, you can get a glimpse of the ancient beliefs of Japan. Worship in this place steeped in myths and legends will cleanse your mind and bring you new awareness.

Such a trip to the three shrines of the East Country is a valuable experience that makes you forget your daily life and visit the hometown of the gods. Next, we will introduce in detail the characteristics of each shrine and the points of worship.

Article Contents

Susu Shrine - A mysterious shrine that transcends time and weaves together gods and nature
- Ikisu Shrine

Susu Shrine - A mysterious shrine that transcends time and weaves together gods and nature

After leaving the waterside atmosphere of Shiorai City, the journey to visit the three shrines in the eastern country continues. I went to the place where ancient beliefs live, the Susu Shrine. From the moment I stepped foot on the ground, I was enveloped in a tranquil air and a sacred atmosphere, and I felt a sense of being washed in my heart.

Ikisu Shrine

Location: 2882 Susu, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Shrine

Kunato Kami: Also known as Dōsōjin, he is a deity that guards the boundaries of the village and prevents the invasion of evil spirits. It is said to be beneficial for travel safety, traffic safety, and the prosperity of descendants.

Amano Torifune: The apotheosis of a ship that is said to have been used by the gods to travel to and from the heavens. It is said to be beneficial for traffic safety, travel safety, and good luck.

Sumiyoshi Sanshin: It is said to be beneficial for the safety of navigation, prosperity of the fishing industry, and good luck. The three pillars of the gods: the life of the upper tube, the life of the middle tube, and the life of the bottom tube.

Standing at the entrance of the shrine is the second torii gate. Looking back from there, I saw a torii gate standing quietly a little farther away. And at the base of the torii gate, there is a shinobi shioi, which can be said to be the divine body of the Susu Shrine. Every time you pass through the torii gate, you feel more and more like stepping into a sanctuary from the mundane world.

Ichinotorii Gate, which also serves as the Ichinotorii gate south of Kashima Jingu Shrine

It is worth mentioning that this Ichinotorii also serves as the Ichinotorii gate south of Kashima Jingu. Kashima Jingu Shrine enshrines the god of martial arts, the Samurai Hammer Ōkami, and has long been revered as the cornerstone of the country's land protection. The fact that Kashima Shrine and Susu Shrine are connected through a trii gate suggests a deep relationship between the two shrines. When you know this, your gaze looking up at the torii gate naturally changes to a reverent one.

One of Japan's Three Sacred Springs, the story told by the Shinobi Shioi and Miraculous Spring Water

Shinshio Well is known as one of the three sacred springs in Japan. It is said that since the time when the area in front of the shrine was called "Katori's Sea", pure fresh water gushed out instead of seawater. It is this mysterious sight that gives rise to the name Shinashioi. Witnessing the wonders of the natural world, where "fresh water creeps out of seawater," is so moving that it leaves you speechless.

The Shinobu Shioi has two wells, called the Ogame in the right hand and the Megame in the left. Legend has it that if the bottle at the back of the well looks clear, good luck will come. When I looked in, I saw a bottle standing quietly at the bottom of the water. At that moment, joy welled up from the depths of my heart, and I had a feeling of a hopeful future.

The water of this Shishio Well has supported people's lives since ancient times and has been cherished as an object of worship. When I think about its history, I feel a strange feeling that I am now touching the same water as if I were traveling through time.

In addition, the Shinashio Well is located along a tributary of the Tone River, and you can reach the river after a short walk.

A sacred stream where you can feel the breath of the Tone River and the dragon god

The Tone River has been said to be inhabited by dragon gods since ancient times, and has been revered as a river through which the spirit of the earth flows majestically. If you look at the surface of the river, you will see the surface of the water sparkling in the sunlight. The scene looks exactly like the scales of a dragon god, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

It is said that the spirit of good luck flows from the river to the shrine, and the worship hall is filled with good luck. When you take a deep breath, you feel the energy of the earth flowing into your body along with the fresh air.

It is also said that when you stand on the edge of the river, you can feel the defilement leaving with the wind. In fact, when I was blown by the river breeze, I felt a refreshing sensation as if my mind and body were being purified. Forgetting the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I was able to quietly watch the river flow, which calmed my mind and made me feel deeply healed.

When you visit the temple, please visit the Shinobu Shio Well and the Tone River and feel the energy of nature firsthand.

Return to the shrine, pass through the Ni no torii gate, and walk along the approach. Compared to Kashima Shrine and Katori Shrine, the precincts are quiet and small, but they make you feel nostalgic and calm. I feel a warm feeling, as if I am surrounded by a gentle embrace.

Gojinmon

The bright vermilion-colored Gojinmon gate creates a prestigious atmosphere. When you pass through this gate, you will step into an even more sacred space.

Proof of the power comparison of rikishi and young people

It is said that young people compared their strength during the festival. I am overwhelmed by its size and weight. I feel the strength of the people of the past, and my heart jumps when I imagine the bustle of the festival.

The shrine is said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Ōjin (around 2~300 AD). It is a venerable shrine with a sense of eternal history.

When it was first built, it was located closer to the sea than it is today. The place is called the Nichikawa District.

At that time, it was listed under the name of Okitsu Jinja, but in the second year of Datong (807), it was moved to the current Kamisu City and became the Susu Shrine.

Miyazakura

Miya cherry blossoms bloom beautifully in spring. Unfortunately, when I visited, the flowers were gone, but the lush green leaves were growing vigorously, adding color to the temple grounds.

In the temple grounds, there is a monument to Matsuo Basho.

The power of God told by the Yellow Cloth, the Rikishi, and the phrase inscription and Basho's phrase

The inscription reads:

"Kori wa Wind Cold of the Owner of the Wind Door (Konosato is Ibuki Donushi no Kazesamushi)"

It is engraved.

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The meaning of the phrase is:

When the venerable Izanagi returned from the Land of the Underworld (the Land of the Dead), he washed his body at the small gate of the bridge of Chikushi Hyuga, and washed away all the messy and unclean things (sins and defilements). Born out of this flow was the Kibuki Toshu (Shrine Shrine

When you immerse yourself in this sanctuary, your body and mind will be cleansed, and there will be no hesitation, cloudiness, or ruts, and it will be so clear and cold that the wind will blow through your body.

When you read Basho's verses, you can feel once again the pure power of this shrine and the divine virtue of the owner of the kibukito.

Worship hall and prayer space

Stand in the worship hall and quietly put your hands together. Express your daily gratitude and pray for peaceful days. It calms the mind and makes you feel calm.

At the back of the worship hall, a 1,000-year-old sacred tree rises.

A sacred tree, a giant tree where you can feel the breath of life

Its overwhelming presence leaves me speechless. The sacred tree, which has lived for a long time, must have watched over the history of this land. When you touch the trunk, you can feel the warm energy.

Susu Shrine is a shrine related to the dragon god. The entire precinct is filled with the energy of the dragon god.

As one of the three shrines in the eastern part of the country, I would like you to visit the shrine to experience the sacred air and heal both physically and mentally.

Visiting this place filled me with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude for nature and the gods. I felt that the shrine is not just a tourist spot, but a special place that heals people's hearts and gives them hope.

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