2025.04.10

Shrine dedicated to Lord Taira Shomon (4) Kanda Myojin

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Located in the heart of Tokyo, not far from the bustling city of Akihabara, Kanda Myojin is unique in that it boasts history and tradition while also trying to harmonize with the diverse cultures of today.

This shrine is known as a place to enshrine many gods, including the legendary figure of the Heian period, Prince Taira Shomon.
Therefore, visitors can feel the atmosphere of the good old days and the wind of the new era.

How Kanda Myojin has continued to attract the hearts of many people through the ages, and how his relationship with Prince Taira Shomon has influenced us today.
Let us take you on a journey to discover its secrets.

Article Contents

Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine) - History, Faith, Architecture, and the Breath of the Future
- The breath of antiquity, the founding of the temple and the deep connection with the Prince of Heishomon

Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine) - History, Faith, Architecture, and the Breath of the Future

Located in Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Kanda Myojin, officially known as Kanda Shrine, this ancient shrine goes beyond being a mere historical building and continues to fascinate people today as a microcosm of Japan's spiritual culture, beliefs, and technological innovation. Since its founding dating back to the Nara period, it has always watched over the history of Tokyo and Japan as a place of people's hearts, even though its appearance has changed through the changing times.

The breath of antiquity, the founding of the temple and the deep connection with the Prince of Heishomon

The history of Kanda Myojin begins in the second year of Tenpei (730) in the Nara period. When it was first founded in Shibasaki Village, Toshima District, Musashi Province, present-day Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, it dedicated only one pillar to the Ōki noble life. Omi is a god who has exerted great power in national development, fertility, medicine, and medical care, and is widely worshipped as the god of marriage.

An indispensable part of telling the history of Kanda Myojin is his deep connection with the warlord of the mid-Heian period, Prince Taira Shomon. Legend has it that during the Johei and Tenkei years, the head of Prince Shomon, who aspired to reform the politics of the Kanto region as a pioneer of the samurai and risked his life to protect the people, was buried beside the village of Shibasaki. In the 2nd year of Yanqing (1309), the spirit of Prince Shomon was enshrined as a shrine deity of Kanda Myojin due to his brave and courageous way of life and the devout faith of the people. Lord Shomon is still revered as "Masakado-sama" as the god of exorcism and exorcism.

The patron deity of Edo, the protection of the Tokugawa shogunate and the rise of the Kanda Festival

In the Edo period, Kanda Myojin had a deep connection with the Tokugawa shogunate. Tokugawa Ieyasu received the amulet of Kanda Myojin during the battle of Sekigahara, which divided the world, and won the battle. Ieyasu, who was moved by this strange relationship, revered Kanda Myojin reverently, and the Tokugawa shogunate that followed also generously protected Kanda Myojin.

During the reign of the second shogun, Hidetada, in the second year of Genwa (1616), Kanda Myojin moved to its current location, Sotokanda. As a god who protects the demon gate of Edo Castle, he was also given the title of the guardian of the Edo General Town, and came to be revered by the town of Edo and the people who lived there.

Throughout the Edo period, the Kanda Festival flourished as one of the three major festivals in Japan. The splendid procession of 36 floats and the liveliness of various festivals energized the town of Edo and made its name known throughout the country. Especially after the Genroku period, the festival procession entered Edo Castle, and it came to be called the "Tenkamatsuri" because it was a festival for the shogun (Tenka).

Transformation of the Meiji Restoration, company name change and shrine change

With the end of the Tokugawa shogunate and the Meiji Restoration, a major change came to Kanda Myojin. The name of the shrine was changed from Kanda Myojin to Kanda Shrine, and Taira Shomon was temporarily removed from the list of shrine deities. Instead, Sukuna Hikono Mikoto was welcomed as a new deity.

In the 7th year of the Meiji era, the worship of Emperor Meiji was held, and Kanda Shrine established itself as an important shrine in the new era. However, there was a change in the Kanda Festival, which was known as the Tenkamatsuri, and due to circumstances such as the construction of railway lines and electric wires, the float procession was canceled, and the mikoshi of each town became the center of the Kanda Festival.

Reconstruction from the earthquake, reinforced concrete shrine and the lamp of faith

Due to the Great Kanto Earthquake in the 12th year of Taisho (1923), the wooden shrine collapsed. However, overcoming this tragedy, Kanda Shrine decided to build a new shrine. As a pioneer in the modernization of traditional shrine architecture, a magnificent steel-framed reinforced concrete shrine with red lacquer was completed in 1934 (Showa 9).

It was designed by leading engineers of the time, such as Chuta Ito, Shintaro Oe, and Koichi Sato, and they brilliantly reproduced beautiful curves in concrete, surpassing conventional wooden construction techniques. This non-combustible building demonstrated strong resilience against the bombing at the end of World War II, and despite the fact that all the buildings in the vicinity, including the buildings in the precincts, were reduced to ashes, its magnificent appearance on the only hill that towered over the temple continued to give hope and peace of mind for reconstruction to many people who were devastated by the defeat of the war.

The fact that the Kanda Festival, which had been suspended during and after the war, was revived as early as Showa 27 shows how important Kanda Shrine was as a place of people's hearts. In the same year, 40, at the request of the clan, the first modern comprehensive wedding hall "Myojin Kaikan" was completed, and in the same year 51, the Sui Jinmen was rebuilt.

Return to Tradition - The Restoration of Prince Heishomon and His Succession to the Present

In Showa 59 (1984), Prince Taira Shomon was officially reinstated as a shrine deity, and Kanda Shrine returned to the traditions of the past. Even in modern times, Lord Shomon is worshipped by many people as the god of exorcism and evil.

Kanda Myojin has gone through various transitions in its long history. However, it has always been a source of inspiration for people, and the light of faith has been passed down to the present day. It can be said that it is a microcosm of Japan's history, culture, and religious spirit.

Shrines and highlights that color Kanda Myojin

Kanda Myojin has a number of shrines and attractions steeped in history and faith.

Main Shrine

The three pillars of Ōki Nomi, Shohiko Meimei, and Taira Shomon are enshrined. The magnificent vermilion-painted shrine was rebuilt in Showa 9 and is made of reinforced concrete, but retains the beauty of traditional shrine architecture.

Sojinmon

It was newly rebuilt in Showa 50 as a commemorative project for the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's accession to the throne. The two-story gate is carved with motifs of the four gods (Suzaku, White Tiger, Blue Dragon, and Genbu) and the myth of Daikoku-sama. The second layer is decorated with a gilded sculpture of a "tethered horse".

Edo Shrine - A shrine dedicated to Edo's oldest landlord god

It was founded in the 2nd year of Taiho (702) in the land of Edo, in the current Imperial Palace, and is still revered as the oldest landowner god in Edo. In the 8th year of Keicho (1603), Kanda Myojin moved to the site of Kanda Surugadai, and then in the 2nd year of Genwa (1616), Kanda Myojin moved to the current shrine site and Edo Shrine also moved to the current site. It was worshipped by the warlords of the Kanto region, such as Prince Edo Shigenaga and Prince Ota Michina, and in the Edo period, it was worshipped by people mainly in Minamidenma Town, so it was called "Minamidenma Town Mochi Tenno" and "Tenno's Palace".

On June 7, the 10th year of Keicho, the first mikoshi was delivered, and thereafter, as the "Tenno Festival", the mikoshi passed from Kanda Myojin to the inn in Minamidenma-cho, and on the way, a shrine was set up at the Otebashi Bridge of Edo Castle.

In the first year of the Meiji Era (1868), the name of the shrine was changed to "Suga Shrine". The shrine was destroyed by a fire in February 18 of the same year, and it was temporarily relocated to Kanda Myojin. At that time, the name of the company was changed three times to its current name, "Edo Shrine".

In May of the first year of Heisei, in commemoration of the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor Imakami, the people of the Edo Shrine Worship Association, who had been enshrined in the market due to the relocation of the Kanda Market, temporarily transferred the spirit of the Edo Shrine to Kanda Myojin, and in December of the following year, the shrine vault was renovated and the Senkan Shrine (Showa 33, Kano Kihei, Saku) was dedicated and officially enshrined as a shrine hall. It is still revered by the people of the Edo Shrine Worship Association.

At the time of the Kanda Festival, which is held once every two years, the Senkan shrine of the Edo Shrine enters the shrine.

Komainu

It was consecrated in May of Showa 8 by volunteers. It is very rare that it faces the front, and Yuhachi Ikeda, who was good at animal sculpture, created the prototype, so it has a more realistic and fearless expression.

・Ichinomiya 　Ōki Kimei (Ōnamuchi no Mikoto)

Daikoku-sama. The god of marriage. Enthroned in the 2nd year of Tenpei (730).

He has demonstrated great power in national land development, aquaculture, medicine and medical care, and is revered as the god of land management, marital unity, and marriage. It is also said to be the god who protects the world where the ancestral spirits reside. He also has another name of "Ōkuni Nushi no Mikoto" and is also a shrine deity of Izumo Taisha, an ancient shrine in Shimane Prefecture. He has the divine virtue of being the god of land management, marital unity, and marriage.

Ōdenmacho Yakumo Shrine

Odenmacho Yakumo Shrine is located in Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and is known as the shrine of Kanda Myojin. The main deity is Sanoo Kenhayasu, and it is a venerable shrine that has been enshrined since before the Edo period. The shrine features distinctive vermilion pillars and doors, making it an eye-catcher for visitors. The shrine was also historically positioned as the second shrine of the Three Heavenly Kings and was the center of worship in the region. At the time of the festival, it is customary for the mikoshi to pass to the temporary house in Odenma Town.

Kofune-cho Yakumo Shrine

Kofunecho Yakumo Shrine is a shrine located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and is one of the shrines of Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine). This shrine is one of the "Three Heavenly Kings" and is considered to be particularly high-class. The deity of the festival is Sanoo Kenhayasu, and the festival day is June 6 every year. On this day, a local mikoshi crosses the shrine into the town

Museum

There are ukiyo-e prints of Taira Shomon, a very fine float-shaped ledger stand, and a wooden statue of Myomi that is said to have been carved by Prince Taira Shomon himself.

In the museum, there are ukiyo-e prints of Taira Shomon, a very fine float-shaped ledger stand, and a wooden carved myomi statue that is said to have been carved by Prince Taira Shomon himself.

Mystery Statue

A statue that came to the Soma family, which looks up to Shomon as its founder. Hand-carved by Lord Shomon It is handed down. Myomi is a name that worships the Big Dipper as a god.

Heishin Emperor Shomon Statue of the Seven Shadows (Seven Shadow Warrior Statues) Miyake Rankai Early Showa Period

Float-type ledger stand from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period

At the time of the construction of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, craftsmen such as palace carpenters and carvers were called from all over the country to work on the construction. After the construction was completed, the craftsmen returned to their hometowns throughout the country, but some of the craftsmen settled in the Kanto region from the Nikko area and worked on the construction of shrines and temples. Some of them became the wives of wealthy merchants and built the five temples of the house gods.

It is thought that this carved ledger stand (a kagura dedicated to the gods) was built at the request of such a wealthy merchant in Nikko. At the time of the festival, it was customary to invite guests, enshrine the guardian god in the alcove, decorate the artworks, and boast to each other.

This ledger was transmitted to the Nikko region. It is considered to be a rare float-type ledger stand built from the late Edo period to the early Meiji period.

You can see the delicate technique of float carving at that time.

After the war, it was dedicated to our company by a benevolent family in Nikko City.

The Role of Kanda Myojin in the Modern Age: The Fuse of Tradition and Innovation

Kanda Myojin is deeply rooted in people's lives even in modern times. While preserving traditional festivals and events, he is also actively working on new endeavors such as collaborations with anime and games.

In particular, since it is adjacent to the electric town of Akihabara, it is also known as a shrine of IT protection, with a strong belief from IT-related companies. It is also a popular wedding venue, with many couples vowing their eternal love at Kanda Myojin.

Kanda Myojin always takes on new challenges while preserving tradition and continues to be a base for people's hearts in a way that is in line with the times. This attitude can be said to suggest the future of Japan's traditional culture.

Breath of the Future: The Universal Value of Kanda Myojin

Kanda Myojin is not just a tourist attraction, but a living museum that condenses the history, culture, and beliefs of Japan. The spirit that has been cultivated over its long history continues to have universal value even today.

The spirit of Kanda Myojin, who wishes for the happiness of people and contributes to the local community, will continue to be passed down to the future without change. As a bridge between the past, present, and future, Kanda Myojin will no doubt continue to support Japan's spiritual culture. And it will continue to give hope and peace to those who visit.

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