2025.04.12

The Gods of Hitachi Country, Daiho Hachimangu

vibration

Shimotsuma City is located in the southwestern part of Ibaraki Prefecture. Tucked away in the rich countryside, Daiho Hachimangu Shrine is a sacred place steeped in history and faith, famous for its good luck and prayers for victory. I visited this venerable shrine, which was founded in the first year of Taiho, and traveled deeply to its mysterious charm.

Article Contents

Ōhō Hachimangu Shrine ・ A sacred place of fortune and history protected by a white serpent
- To the lush city of Shimotsuma - Prologue to a sacred place

Ōhō Hachimangu Shrine ・ A sacred place of fortune and history protected by a white serpent

To the lush city of Shimotsuma - Prologue to a sacred place

A few hours drive from the city center. Gradually, the view opens up and the lush countryside spreads out. When you enter Shimotsuma City, you will see fields of pears, grapes, chestnuts, and other trees scattered along the road, and you will see a bountiful harvest ahead of the autumn harvest. In particular, Shimotsuma City is famous as a production area for fresh Komizu pears, and its sweet scent seems to waft in the air. Shimotsuma City is also known as a delicious production area for Koshihikari, and Milky Queen, which has a reputation for being delicious even when cold with its chewy texture, is actually said to have originated in Shimotsuma City. I feel that the abundant blessings of nature nurture this land.

The road to Daiho Hachimangu is a quiet and serene journey, as if you are being led to a sanctuary. Away from the hustle and bustle, we quietly focus our attention on the sacred place.

Sui Shrine Gate: Entrance to the historical and majestic sanctuary

Decorating the entrance to the Daiho Hachimangu Shrine is the Sui Shrine Gate, which was built to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the throne of Emperor Showa. The dignified appearance seems to tell a long history. A pair of Nioh statues stand in front of the god like a wolf dog, glaring at them to keep evil spirits and defilements away. Its powerful figure is like a gatekeeper who protects worshippers and invites them to a sacred space.

In the past, there were eight temples called Daiho Hachigaji in the precincts of Daiho Hachimangu. This fact tells us that this place was once the center of the worship of Shinto Buddhism. When you pass through the Sui God Gate, you will notice a solemn and unique atmosphere that reminds you of its remnants. The remnants of the time when God and Buddha coexisted are still alive in this place.

History and Faith Trail from Ancient Times

The history of Daiho Hachimangu Shrine dates back to the first year of Taiho (701). It is said to have begun when Fujiwara Tokitada commissioned the construction of the Usa Shrine in Chikushi (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture). Throughout its long history, Daiho Hachimangu has attracted the faith of many people and has watched over various historical events.

At the end of the Heian period, the Hachiman cult was already flourishing, as can be seen from the back of the old sutras of the Tendai sect. There is a description of "The third year of the reign (1179) Kii Pig July 22 Unknown Letter Ryo at Hitachi Province Shimotsuma Hachimangu Shoryo Kanechi", which tells us about the depth of faith at that time.

In addition, in the Heishomon Rebellion that occurred in the middle of the Heian period, the Taiho Hachimangu Shrine played an important role. It is said that Prince Taira Shomon often visited the Ōhō Hachiman Shrine to pray for victory in battle, and was conferred the title of the new emperor by the priestess of the palace. From this episode, we can see that Daiho Hachimangu Shrine has been revered by people as a place of spiritual experience since ancient times.

In the Kamakura period, Prince Minamoto Yoritomo solicited the Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura on the occasion of the pacification of the Oshu Conquest and founded the Setsha Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine. This is also mentioned in the "Azuma Kagami" as Shimotsuma Shrine, indicating that it was also an important shrine for Genji.

[Shrine deity: Guardian god of aquaculture and martial arts]

The deities of Daiho Hachimangu are the following three pillars.

Honda Betsukoto: 15th Emperor Ōjin (Hachiman-sama)

Ashinaka Hikoto: 14th Emperor Naka

Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto: Empress Shen Gong (Empress of Emperor Nakama)

Hachiman Ōkami is the creator god of culture, who developed and guided all kinds of aquaculture and industrial development such as mountain and flood control, learning, fishing, commerce and industry, civil engineering and construction, transportation, sewing, and spinning, and at the same time, he is also a god who is famous in the world as a god who is in charge of the way of martial arts. It is said that as the guardian god of all livelihoods, He bestows infinite benefits on people's lives.

As the name suggests, many people visit Daiho Hachimangu Shrine in search of various benefits such as wishes for good luck, exorcism, traffic safety, business prosperity, family safety, and safe childbirth. It is believed that its divine virtues are vast and boundless, and that they bring peace and happiness to our daily lives.

[Walking around the precincts: a sacred space full of highlights]

The precincts of Daiho Hachimangu Shrine are surrounded by a quiet and solemn atmosphere, and it seems that just walking around will wash your heart.

Komainu on the approach・On the left and right sides of the approach, there are many komainu dogs lined up in a row. Each one has a different expression and shape, and you can enjoy just looking at it.

Cauldron The cauldron that sits in the temple grounds overwhelms visitors with its presence. It is not known for certain what purpose it was used for, but it may have been used for various ceremonies over a long history.

The worship hall, main hall, and the current building were rebuilt in the fifth year of Tensho (1577) by the lord of Shimotsuma Castle, Tagaya Takatsune. It is an architectural style called Sanmasha-style construction, and the building is tall, and the pillars are thick and solid. The kumimono is small and intricately combined, and the regional color of the Momoyama period is strongly expressed. The roof was thatched, but it was changed to a thatched copper plate roof in Showa 40. It has been designated as an important cultural property of Japan as a valuable cultural property that shows the state of local architecture in the Tensho period.

The bell tower, which was demolished due to the separation of God and Buddhism around the time of the Meiji era, was rebuilt in the Heisei era. It plays a beautiful sound and heals the hearts of worshippers.

There is a hall dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods in the precincts of the Great Treasure Seven Lucky Gods, and you can enjoy visiting the Seven Lucky Gods. Each god has its own blessings, and it is crowded with people who wish for good luck.

When Wakamiya Hachimangu and Minamoto Yoritomo achieved the conquest of Oshu, Hachimangu ordered Shimokawabe Yukihei to recruit in the fifth year of Bunji (1189). Wakamiya-sama is the 16th Emperor Hitoku, and his father is the 15th Emperor Hachiman-sama. The main shrine enshrines the 14th Emperor Nakama, so it means that three generations in a row, including parents, children, and grandchildren, are enshrined.

At the Shrine of the Shrine and the Great Treasure Hachimangu Shrine, the Yabubu horse is also held. It is also a good idea to take a tour of the shrine while imagining the situation.

Kurotori Shrine - A shrine dedicated to the life of the lord of a great country. It is said that there is a benefit of marriage. According to the legend, there is a treasure that Sajigoro, who is famous for his sleeping cat in Nikko Toshogu, stayed at Daiho Hachimangu Shrine when he was young and left it.

Tracing the history and ancient footsteps of Shimotsuma City

When you visit Daiho Hachimangu Shrine, you should also learn about the history of Shimotsuma City.

At the Nishihara site in Sekijo-cho, Makabe District, next to Shimotsuma City, ruins dating back about 28,000 years have been found, and the oldest footprints in Japan have been discovered. As a result of tephra analysis by Palino Surveyy and measurement by the Radiocarbon Dating Office of Gakushuin University, it was confirmed that it is the oldest footprint in Japan.

In addition, the pottery excavated from the remains of a Jomon period dwelling is the first of its kind in Ibaraki Prefecture, and since it is similar to the pottery excavated mainly in Nagano Prefecture, it is thought that the Jomon people at the Nishihara site at that time had a deep cultural exchange with the Jomon people of the Chubu mountainous region.

Connection with Prince Taira Shomon, legend and history intersect

In the middle of the Heian period, the Taira clan boasted a powerful power in Hitachi, and the Shimotsuma city area became the scene of the Taira Shomon Rebellion. Prince Taira Shomon often visited the Taiho Hachiman Shrine, and a priestess who claimed to be the "messenger of the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman" appeared and bestowed the rank of "Son" on him. I was told. As a justification for his accession to the throne, the Great Bodhisattva Hachiman and Sugawara Michishin appeared and announced to Taira Shomon that he would bestow the title of Emperor on him. It is said that the Hachimangu shrine is this Daiho Hachimangu.

The ruins of the Great Treasure Castle, a place to preserve the memories of the Warring States period

In this area, where the precincts of the Daiho Shrine are located, there was a castle called Daihojo during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The owner of the castle is Prince Masayasu Shimotsuma. Daihojo Castle is about 1 km south of Sekijo (located in present-day Chikusei City), the residence of Seki Sosuke, who fought with him. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, there was a swamp between Guancheng and Dabaocheng, and they traveled back and forth in boats. In November 1341, the Shogun of Kasunaka moved here from Odawara Castle in favor of the new Emperor Kora, and it became the base of the Southern Dynasty in the eastern provinces. After that, the castle continued to struggle under the onslaught of the Northern Dynasty, and due to lack of food and discord in the castle, the castle fell on November 12, 1343. The castle owner, Masayasu Shimotsuma, was killed.

Sacred Places, Heart-Washing Experiences

When you visit Daiho Hachimangu Shrine, you will feel refreshed as if your heart is washed. The mood before and after visiting the temple is completely different. After visiting the temple, I was enveloped in a great sense of relief and felt a sense of liberation, as if a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. It's so exhilarating that I wonder when I've felt so sunny.

The castle owner of the castle lost the battle and killed himself, but the castle owner must have become a Buddha now. It is such a sacred place that warmly welcomes visitors and gives them healing and strength.

Shrines where you can open up a lot of money, why you should visit

As the name suggests, Daiho Hachimangu is known as a shrine where you can receive benefits related to fortune. Many people visit this place to wish for good fortune.

As the name suggests, Daiho Hachimangu is said to have benefits related to good fortune.
It is a great place for people who run businesses to pray for the success of their businesses.
It will also be a place of peace for those who wish for the safety and happiness of their families and their families.

Summary: A holy place where history and faith are woven together

More than just a shrine, Daiho Hachimangu is a sacred place where history, nature, and faith are deeply connected. Over the course of its long history, it has attracted the faith of many people and watched over various historical events. For those who wish to improve their fortunes, as well as those who want to experience history and culture, heal their hearts, and reconsider themselves, Daiho Hachimangu will surely be a special place. Please come and experience its mysterious charm.

I want to read it together