2025.04.10

Shrine dedicated to Heishomon (1) Tsukido Shrine

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In Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Tsukido Shrine stands quietly in a corner lined with office buildings. Although it is conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from Kudanshita Station, once you step inside, you will find a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle. This shrine is known as a place related to the warlord of the mid-Heian period, Prince Taira Shomon, and its history is deep, and it contains the story of a strange transition from the legend of Lord Shomon's head mound to a shrine built into a modern building, which has preserved its faith despite being tossed around by the rough waves of the times. It is revered as a sacred place for the Shomon faith, and as an irreplaceable place for those who wish for a long time of martial luck and good luck, and its existence still shines brightly even today.

Article Contents

Tsukido Shrine and the sacred place of the Shomon faith, shining in the present day beyond the waves of history
- Basic information of the shrine, the place where it is located, the shrine deity, the company crest

Tsukido Shrine and the sacred place of the Shomon faith, shining in the present day beyond the waves of history

Basic information of the shrine, the place where it is located, the shrine deity, the company crest

Tsukido Shrine is located at 1-14-21 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and is conveniently located a 1-minute walk from Exit 1 of Kudanshita Station. The calm atmosphere that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city center gives visitors a sense of peace.

The main deity of the festival enshrines Amatsu Hikoho no Nigi no Mikoto as the main deity. Tenjin Hikohi is the grandson of Amaterasu, also known as Nigi no Mikoto, and is one of the important deities in Japan mythology. It is a god who is said to have descended to earth at the time of the advent of the Heavenly Son, and is revered as the god of fertility and national security. The hall enshrines Prince Taira Shomon and Prince Sugawara Michishin. Prince Taira Shomon was a warlord of the mid-Heian period, known as a hero who was active in the Kanto region, and also as a god of exorcism. Sugawara Michishinko is widely worshipped as the god of learning, and there is no end to the number of people who visit to pray for academic achievement and passing.

The crest of Tsukido Shrine is the Kuyomon. This pattern, with nine small stars arranged around a large star in the center, suggests a deep connection with the Myomi cult. Prince Taira Shomon revered the Great Bodhisattva Myomi, and the Kuyomon was used as a family crest to symbolize his faith. The Myomi cult is a belief that deifies the North Star and worships it as a god who controls the fate of people, and its influence has spread widely, especially in samurai society.

Eternal history, founding, relocation, and change of company name

The history of Tsukido Shrine dates back to 940 (Tenkei 3), and its founding is deeply rooted in the legend of the Shuzuka of Prince Taira Shomon. The head of Prince Taira Shomon, who was killed by Fujiwara Hidesato and others, was secretly taken away after being exposed in Kyoto and enshrined in the Kannon-do temple in Tsukudo, Kamihirakawa Village, Toshima District, Musashi Province (around present-day Otemachi, Chiyoda Ward). This was the beginning of the Tsukido Shrine, which at that time was called Tsukudo Myojin. It is believed to have originated from the fact that it was enshrined to comfort the spirit of Lord Shomon and to appease his enshrinement.

Later, in the Muromachi period, when Ota Michinaga built Edo Castle, he maintained the shrine hall and revered it as the guardian deity of the Ota family and even the guardian deity of Edo Castle. Ota Michikan is known as a famous general who laid the foundation of Edo, and it is said that he was a devout worshipper of the Tsukido Shrine. However, with the expansion of Edo Castle and the expansion of the outer moat of Edo Castle, the Tsukido Shrine was forced to relocate repeatedly.

In 1616, it was moved to Tsukido Hachimancho, Shinjuku Ward, but after that, it was moved to the grounds of the Setsugi Inari Shrine for the construction of Kudan Junior High School. Then, in 1994, due to the deterioration of the shrine, it was rebuilt into a modern shrine with the current concrete walls.

In the Edo period, the company name "Tsukudo Daimyojin" or "Tsukido Myojin" was used, but it was renamed to "Tsukido Shrine" in Meiji 7. It is thought that due to the influence of the separation policy of Shinto and Buddhism after the Meiji Restoration, it became necessary to clarify the name of the shrine.

In this way, although the location and appearance of Tsukido Shrine have changed many times over the course of its long history, it has continued to protect its faith as a center of Shomon worship with the support of the local people. It can be said that this transition reflects the history of Japan itself.

Deep bond with the Shomon faith, transition to hero, god of worship, and transition to guardian god

Among the many shrines and temples related to Shomon, Tsukido Shrine has a special significance as a sacred place for the Shomon faith. Its origin lies in the enshrinement of the head of Prince Taira Shomon, and there is also a legend that the head (skull and hair) of Lord Taira Shomon itself was enshrined in Tsukudo Daimyojin. It is believed to have originated as a shrine to comfort the spirit of Lord Shomon and to appease his enshrinement, but gradually his aspect as a hero of the Kanto region came to be emphasized, and he came to gather the faith of samurai who wished for good luck and good luck.

After his death, Prince Taira Shomon was enshrined as a hero in the eastern part of the country, but in the Meiji era, he was sometimes evaluated as a "traitor" who rebelled against the emperor, partly due to the influence of the imperial view of history. For this reason, for the sake of convenience, the Tsukido Shrine ostensibly diluted its relationship with Prince Shomon by making Tenjin Hikohiko the main deity, who was closely related to the Emperor's lineage, and the Prince of Taira Shomon as the god of Aiden. In accordance with the policy of the Meiji government, it is thought that it was a painstaking measure to maintain the form of a shrine.

However, after the war, when the separation of church and state was established, Tsukido Shrine began to profess again that it was a shrine dedicated to Lord Shomon, and now many people come to worship it as the center of Shomon worship. The prayers of those who wish to comfort the spirit of Lord Shomon and admire his valor are still gathered at the Tsukido Shrine.

The Tsukido Shrine has a nine-day crest that originates from the fact that Prince Taira Shomon revered the Great Bodhisattva Myomi. The Myomi cult is a belief that deifies the North Star and worships it as a god who controls the fate of people, and it is said that Prince Taira Shomon won many battles with the blessing of the Great Bodhisattva Myomi. The Myomi cult is widely worshipped, especially among the samurai class, and the Tsukido Shrine is also strongly influenced by it.

History, shrines, komainu, amulets, and beliefs that live on in the present day

The current shrine hall of Tsukido Shrine has a modern design covered with concrete walls, but it has a unique appearance that incorporates elements of Sumiyoshi-zukuri and partially incorporates a Shinmei-style structure. By incorporating the traditional shrine style into contemporary architecture, we see an attempt to connect the past with the future.

The komainu that sits in front of the shrine was dedicated in 1780 (Yasunaga 9) by a clan member of the former Iida Town, and is designated as a tangible cultural property of Chiyoda Ward as the oldest existing koinu in Chiyoda Ward. It is characterized by a "horn" on one side of the head and a "jewel" on the other. Even after many years, its appearance still retains the appearance of that time and conveys the weight of history.

At the Tsukido Shrine, the "Kachimamori" (Kachimamori), which is a black horse associated with Prince Taira Shomon, is awarded for 15 days only from January 1 to January 15 every year.

This amulet is popular with people who wish for good luck and good luck, and many people come to ask for it. The black horse, which symbolizes the valor of Lord Shomon, is still empowering people as a symbol of victory in modern times.

The Power of Good Luck ・ A tranquil space, a connection to the martial arts hall, and a place of the heart

In addition, Tsukido Shrine sits in the main shrine as the chief deity of Japan Budokan, which is said to be the "Hall of Martial Arts". Taira Shomon is revered as the god of martial arts because he ran around the battlefield in the Kanto region and won many victories, and by sitting in the Japan Budokan, he protects people who are committed to martial arts. Martial artists visit the Tsukido Shrine to pray for the results of their daily training and vow to devote themselves to martial arts.

Since Tsukido Shrine is a shrine related to Prince Taira Shomon, it is said that it is filled with very powerful power and a sense of tension and tension. In order to feel this unique power, many people visit the Tsukido Shrine and offer silent prayers.

Tsukido Shrine plays a role as a place of support for people's hearts in modern society. In today's stressful world, calming your mind in a tranquil space and reflecting on past history can bring peace of mind. In addition, by touching the spirit of Lord Shomon and trying to imitate his valor, we will be given the courage to face difficulties.

Conclusion: The eternal brilliance of history and faith

Tsukido Shrine is a shrine with a special atmosphere even though it is located in the center of the city, where the history and beliefs of Prince Heishomon remain strong. Over the course of its long history, it has changed its location and appearance many times, but as a sacred place of the Shomon faith, it has been supported by the local people and has continued to protect its faith.

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