2025.04.09

Taira Shomon, the guardian god of Tokyo ~ An unparalleled powerful "yin" power spot ~ (1)

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Among the countless power spots spread throughout the city of Tokyo, there is one that stands out in particular. It is "Shomonzuka" located in Chiyoda Ward. This place is known as the place where the warlord Taira Shomon, who lived in the Heian period and left his name for future generations, is enshrined. However, it is said that this mound has a unique "shadow" power that goes beyond mere historical significance, and its presence attracts not only local residents but also many visitors.

I wonder if the anecdote of Shomon, which has been passed down by many people, breathes a powerful energy into this area. Or is his immense influence still present in the city in some form? Let's unravel the story behind this spiritual place, which is located in the heart of Tokyo but seems to be inhabited by his soul.

Article Contents

Heishomon's Shuzuka: In Search of the Truth
- 1. Ghost lore and source of awe

Heishomon's Shuzuka: In Search of the Truth

1-chome, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Tucked away in the center of the business district is the head mound of Heishomon. Even if you've never been there, the lore about this mound has probably reached the ears of many people. You may have heard the rumor that "if you level the ground or behave in a disrespectful manner, misfortune will come due to the worship of Lord Taira Shomon." There are countless incidents that have actually occurred, and they have left people in awe as if Shuzuka were alive.

However, when I happened to see a photograph of the head mound of Heishomon, I felt an overwhelming energy that was different from the legend of the grudge. Rumors and the reality are often different. Isn't there a hidden truth behind the legend of the ghost that has been passed down for many years? I couldn't get that thought out of my head.

So, in order to see for myself, I decided to embark on a journey to visit the shrines related to Lord Taira Shomon, including Shuzuka. What I was able to see there was far beyond my imagination. I was able to feel the prayers of the people that have continued continuously since ancient times, and that the spirit of Lord Shomon is still alive today.

(It is located near the Otemon gate, the main gate of the former Edo Castle, and is surrounded by high-rise buildings.) When you step outside, you will see businessmen coming and going. ）

1. Ghost lore and source of awe

First of all, let's take a look at some of the grudge legends related to the head mound of Prince Taira Shomon. These lore cannot be dismissed as mere superstitions. It is rooted in the depths of history, with a sense of awe and respect for the people.

Sakai Residences and the Mysterious Deaths of Date and Harada: Around the time Edo Castle was completed (around 1636), this area became an area lined with daimyo mansions, and the Sakai family mansion was built. The neck mound was incorporated into the courtyard of the Sakai family's mansion. Later, the Inari Shomon Shrine was built by the Sakai family, and it began to attract the worship of the maids. However, in 1671, an incident occurred on the grounds of the Sakai family, in which Date Aki and Harada Kai were murdered, and it became feared that it was the enshrinement of Lord Shomon. This incident further strengthened the sense of awe for Shuzuka's existence.
The Ministry of Finance Building and the Deaths of 14 People: In the Meiji era, the Sakai residence was demolished and the Ministry of Finance building was built. The mound was left as it was and was placed in a corner of the premises of the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance building was destroyed by fire in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, and when cleaning up the burned remains, the Ministry of Finance decided to collapse the neck mound, level the land, and build a temporary government building on top of it. According to the records of the Ministry of Finance, a bizarre phenomenon occurred in which the staff working in this temporary government building were injured and sick one after another, and finally 14 people died one after another of the Minister of Finance and senior officials. The officials, who were horrified by this situation, demolished the temporary government building and held a requiem service for Lord Shomon in 1927 by the priests of Kanda Shrine. It is said that this requiem was a very grand event. Incidentally, the priest who performed this requiem was the grandson of the national scholar Atsushi Hirata and a descendant of Lord Shomon. He had the strange fate of performing the repose of his own ancestors.
Lightning strike and letter of apology from Finance Minister Retsu Kawada: However, despite the requiem service, the mourning did not subside. In 1940, there was a sudden lightning strike at the main building of the Ministry of Finance, causing numerous casualties. Coincidentally, this year was the 1,000th anniversary of the death of Prince Shomon. It was decided to hold the 1,000-year festival on a grand scale in a hurry, to set up a new fund for the preservation of the Shomon Shuzuka, and all the officials of the Ministry of Finance apologized to the spirit of Lord Shomon. Then, the Minister of Finance at the time, Retsu Kawada, personally took up the pen and erected a fund for the preservation of the ancient ruins. (This preservation cost still exists today.) This event shows that the Ministry of Finance was deeply afraid of the enshrinement of Shuzuka.
Kasumigaseki Relocation and Burning Down of the Government Building: After that, the Ministry of Finance moved to Kasumigaseki to flee the area, but in 1945 the government building burned down in an air raid, killing and injuring many officials. This event may suggest that the Ministry of Finance could not escape the curse of Shuzuka.
GHQ and bulldozer overturned: According to GHQ documents, after the defeat, the American army came and bulldozed the ground as a mere burn site, but it hit a stone and overturned, causing two people to fall underneath it, and one of them died instantly. There is something like a tombstone in the burnt earth, and if you ask the locals, it turns out to be a neck mound. He petitioned the headquarters for preservation, and it was decided that the mound would be preserved. Were the U.S. military also in awe of Shuzuka's existence?
Japan Changes in Long-Term Credit Banks and Employees: However, the anomalies do not stop. In 1961, the land on the east side of Shuzuka became the property of the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan and Mitsui Life Insurance Company, and a building was constructed. However, the place where the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan was built was on the old approach road of Shuzuka. Two years later, the staff of the rooms on each floor facing the mound fell ill one after another. Therefore, we invited the priests of Kanda Shrine to perform an exorcism. It seems that the shrine of Shuzuka attacks people regardless of the place.
Construction work and the light and dark of the two buildings: In 1973, two buildings were built across the mound. In the building where construction began after a respectful offering, there were no accidents at all, but in another indifferent building, two workers died during underground construction and many people were injured in the same place. This event suggests that the presence or absence of respect for Shuzuka will determine its subsequent fate.

These grudge legends tell us that the head mound of Prince Heishomon is not just a historical site, but a place with special powers. The head mound of Lord Shomon, which was a special place with tremendous power, is now carefully preserved. However, I have come to believe that there may be other forces at work behind these events other than exorcism.

2. Prayer to Shuzuka and the power to quell grudges

So, what exactly is this "other power other than exorcism"?

I visited Shuzuka and felt the atmosphere firsthand. Although it was located in the center of the business district, there was a quiet space where time seemed to stand still. Flowers are always offered in front of the mound, and the scent of incense sticks wafts in the air. Many people stopped in their tracks, joined hands and prayed.

When I saw the sight, I realized. Shuzuka is not just a home for grudges, but a place of prayer for people. Isn't the soul of Lord Shomon appeased and protected by the prayers of the people?

3. Visiting shrines related to Lord Shomon and following in the footsteps of heroes

In addition, I visited a shrine related to Lord Shomon. As I visited a number of shrines, including Kanda Myojin, Tsukido Shrine, and Kabuto Shrine, I came to understand that Lord Shomon was not just a warlord, but was adored and adored by the people.

Kanda Myojin, the soul that protects Edo Kanda Myojin is famous as a shrine dedicated to Lord Shomon. The Kanda Festival is a festival held to comfort the soul of Lord Shomon, and as one of the three major festivals in Edo, it is crowded with many people. When I visited Kanda Myojin, I felt that the spirit of Lord Shomon is still protecting the city of Edo.
Tsukido Shrine / Place of Prayer for Victory Tsukido Shrine is a shrine where Lord Shomon is said to have prayed for victory in battle. In the temple grounds, swords and armor that are said to have been used by Prince Shomon are dedicated. When I visited the Tsukido Shrine, I felt the spirit of Lord Shomon as a warlord.
Kabuto Shrine and Requiem of Shuzuka Kabuto Shrine is a shrine located in the place where the head of Lord Shomon is said to have been buried. In the temple grounds, there is a mound dedicated to the head of Lord Shomon. When I visited Kabuto Shrine, I wished that the soul of Lord Shomon rested in peace.

4. Resonance of prayer with forces other than exorcism, soul

As I visited these shrines, I became convinced that the spirit of Lord Shomon is still alive today, not only as a ghost but also as a presence that gives courage and hope to people.

So, what is the "other power other than exorcism" mentioned at the beginning?

In my opinion, it is the soul of Lord Shomon and the power of the people's prayers. Shuzuka is a place that is revered by ghost legends, but at the same time, it is a place that is protected and appeased by the power of people's prayers. And isn't the power of that prayer sublimating the soul of Lord Shomon from a grudge spirit to a guardian deity?

In other words, the series of events surrounding Shuzuka is not just a ritual, but a grand drama woven by the spirit of Lord Shomon and the power of people's prayers.

In Search of Truth: History and the Search for the Soul

By visiting Shuzuka and visiting the shrines related to Lord Shomon, I was able to learn the truth behind the legend of the grudge. And that truth teaches us the depth of history, the preciousness of the soul, and the power of prayer.

Through this experience, I realized once again the importance of seeing things with my own eyes and thinking for myself, without being bound by rumors and stereotypes. And I would like to continue to go around various places, meet various people, and accumulate various experiences in search of the truth.

I want to read it together