2025.04.12

A journey to feel the soul of the ancient Hitachi and the breath of the hero Yamato Takeru

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Located in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is an ancient shrine that carves an eternal history and conveys the spirit of Hitachi Province to the present day. In the past, as the general shrine of Hitachi Province, it enshrined the gods of the country and gathered the faith of the local people. In particular, it has a deep relationship with the hero Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (Japan Takeson), a hero who appears in Japan mythology, and there is a "sacred stone" in the temple grounds that reminds us of his footprints. In addition, there is a connection with the ancestors of Osamu Tezuka, and it is attracting attention from a cultural aspect.

Article Contents

Shrines associated with Yamato Takeru no Mikoto
- From the history of Hitachi Kokusai Shrine Shrine and the key of the national government to the guardian deity of the region

Shrines associated with Yamato Takeru no Mikoto

It provides a detailed explanation of the history, architecture, festivals, natural environment, and relationship with Yamato Takeru no Mikoto to provide visitors with a variety of information to help them better understand its charm and have a memorable experience.

From the history of Hitachi Kokusai Shrine Shrine and the key of the national government to the guardian deity of the region

The history of Hitachi Kokusosha Palace dates back to the time when the ancient state of Japan was formed. Around the 7th century, present-day Ibaraki Prefecture was called Hitachi Province and played an important role as a "great country" blessed with abundant nature and fertile land. Hitachi Kokufu was the political, economic, and cultural center of the country and was located in present-day Ishioka City.

At that time, the national priest had to visit all the shrines in the country under his jurisdiction in order, starting with the first shrine, but the procedure was complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, near the national government of each country, a "soja" was set up to enshrine the gods of the country together. This allowed the kokuji to worship many gods at once, allowing for efficient rituals.

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is one of the soja shrines that was established in this way. At first, it was called "Kokufu no Miya" and the guardian deity of Kokufu was enshrined, but in the Enki year (901 – 923), the six pillar gods of Tenjin Jisho were enshrined together, and it came to be called "Six Places of Palace". After that, the name was changed to "Soja" and the company established itself as the general company of Hitachi Province.

It is said that the original location of the castle was near the current ruins of Hitachi Kokubun Temple, but when the Taisho clan (Taiyo Province) built the castle in Hitachi Fuchu (Ishioka) in the Tenkei year (938 – 947), it was moved to its current location to protect the castle. Since then, the Shinto priest has been hereditary by the Kiyohara clan for generations, and has spun its history as the center of faith of the people of the region. In its long history, it has been hit by wars and disasters, but each time it has been rebuilt and continues to this day.

Architecture of Hitachi Kokusai Shrine: A Space Filled with Tradition and Aesthetics

Within the precincts of Hitachi Kokusai Shrine, there is a quiet and sacred space where historical buildings and rich nature are in harmony. As you make your way along the path, you will feel a sense of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The approach and lush green approach are the path that leads to the sacred area and quietly welcome visitors. The trees, which show different expressions in each season, heal the hearts of worshippers and lead them to a sacred space. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring, and autumn leaves color the precincts in autumn.

Temizusha ・ Temizusha, where pure water flows out, is a place to cleanse the mind and body before visiting the shrine. It is etiquette to follow the hand water etiquette and purify oneself before proceeding before God.

Sui God Gate The majestic Sui God Gate has a stately appearance as a gate that protects the sacred area. When you pass through the gate, bow reverently and pay your respects to the sanctuary.

The worship hall and the main shrine are places where worshippers pray to the gods. The main shrine at the back of the shrine is a sacred place where the gods rest, and it is usually inaccessible. The main shrine is built in the traditional architectural style, and its beauty is mesmerizing. In Heisei 28, a large-scale restoration was carried out, and the appearance at the time of its founding was restored.

In addition to the main shrine, there are also precincts and shrines that enshrine various gods. Each of them is said to have different benefits, and many worshippers visit.

Connection with Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, following in the footsteps of heroes

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is known for its deep connection with the Japan mythological hero Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. Yamato Takeru no Mikoto was born as a prince of Emperor Kageyuki and achieved numerous military feats, including the Eastern and Western Conquests. His brave appearance has given courage and hope to many people, and has left his mark on the history of Japan.

In the precincts of the Hitachi Kokusai Shrine Shrine, there is a "sacred stone" that is said to have been sat by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto during the Eastern Conquest. This stone was used by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto when he rested, and it is said that its spiritual power resides.

In the "Hitachi Province Fudoki", it is written as "Emperor Wamu", but in the Hitachi Kokusai Shrine Palace, it is written as "Japan Buson".

It is said that when building the Soja Shrine of Hitachi Kokufu, the existence of this sacred stone was the deciding factor in the selection of the construction site. The sacred stone is a precious heritage that conveys the footprints of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto to the present day, and makes visitors feel the weight of history. By touching the sacred stones, you may be able to touch the souls of the heroes and gain courage and strength.

Connection with Osamu Tezuka and connection with the gods of manga

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is also known for its connection to the ancestors of the world-renowned manga artist Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka Ryōan, a clan physician who served the Fuchu Matsudaira Domain at the end of the Edo period, is the ancestor of Osamu Tezuka.

Yoshian Tezuka studied at Tekijuku in Osaka, which was opened by Koan Ogata, and studied orchidology at a desk with Yukichi Fukuzawa. Later, together with his father, Ryosen and Genpak Ito, he opened a smallpox station in Edo and contributed to the development of medicine.

Osamu Tezuka drew the taiga manga "The Tree of Hidamari" featuring Ryoan and the fictional feudal lord Manjiro Ibuya, and Tezuka and Ishioka City are connected through Ryōan.

In honor of his relationship with Osamu Tezuka, in Heisei 25, the year 1300 of the Fudoki Imperial Charter, Hitachi Kokusai Shrine distributes gifts with the motif of Osamu Tezuka's work with the cooperation of Tezuka Productions.

The amulet of "Firebird" and the red seal book depicting the lion of the annual festival and the white lion Leo, the protagonist of "Emperor of the Jungle", are particularly popular. These gifts are also one of the attractive reasons for fans of Osamu Tezuka to visit Hitachi Kokusai Shrine.

Enthusiasm and tradition that connects festivals and communities

Various festivals are held at Hitachi Kokusai Shrine throughout the year, but the grandest of them is the annual grand festival held in September. This festival is also called "Ishioka Festival" and is celebrated on a grand scale throughout the region.

The festival is a lively festival where mikoshi and floats parade through the city and traditional performing arts are performed. Many stalls line the streets, which are crowded with locals and tourists alike. During the festival, the entire city of Ishioka is filled with enthusiasm and a special atmosphere.

The festival is not just a festival, but also plays an important role in inheriting the history and culture of the region and deepening the bonds between people. While some shrines have been tossed around by the waves of history and have had to suspend their rituals, this shrine has continued to hold the "Kokufu Shrine Festival" without ceasing since its founding.

Surrounded by the natural environment and abundant blessings

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is located in a place surrounded by abundant nature. From the precincts, you can enjoy beautiful views of Mt. Tsukuba, one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, and Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan.

The Chronicle of Hitachi Province expresses the rich feelings of the people of that time toward nature. "In the spring, when the flowers are blooming, and in the autumn, when the leaves of the trees are scattered, or when the palanquin is ordered, and the boat is rowed out again, and the flowers bloom in a thousand places in the spring, and the leaves of the trees are colored on the shore in the autumn. Listen to the chirping of cranes on the banks of the fields, and see cranes soaring in the air at the seaside. The farmer's youth and the seaman's daughter run along the beach and gather in flocks..."

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine enshrines the gods of Hitachi Country, and it can be said that these gods are the rich nature of Hitachi Country.

For visitors and for a memorable trip

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine is a fascinating place where history, culture, nature, and people's beliefs are interwoven. Visitors can enjoy the charm of Hitachi Kokusai Shrine more deeply by paying attention to the following points.

Follow in the footsteps of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, touch the sacred stone and feel the soul of the hero.

Get to know Osamu Tezuka's connection: Check out the collaboration and feel the cultural bridge.

Participate in the festival and experience the heat of Ishioka's festival.

Let's take in the beautiful scenery of Mt. Tsukuba and Kasumigaura and heal our hearts.

Take a walk around every corner of the temple grounds, pray to various shrines and shrines, and enjoy the sacred space.

Receive a red seal・ As a commemoration of your visit, let's get a red seal.

Explore the surrounding attractions ・Ishioka City has many other historical attractions. If you have time to spare, you can also explore the surrounding sights.

Hitachi Kokusai Shrine will give visitors a depth of history and culture, natural beauty, and peace of mind. Please come and visit us. It's an experience you'll never forget.

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