Atsuta Shrine
Atsuta Shrine | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | Shinto |
Deity | Atsuta no Ōkami Amaterasu Susanoo Yamatotakeru Miyazu-hime Takeinadane |
Festival | Atsuta-sai; June 5th |
Type | Chokusaisha Beppyo jinja, Shikinaisya Owari no Kuni sannomiya (Former kanpeitaisha) |
Location | |
Location | 1-1-1, Jingu, Atsuta-ku Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585 |
Geographic coordinates | 35°07′39″N 136°54′30″E / 35.12750°N 136.90833°E |
Architecture | |
Style | Shinmei-zukuri |
Website | |
www | |
Glossary of Shinto |
Atsuta Shrine (
The 200,000-square-metre (2,200,000 sq ft) shrine complex draws over 9 million visitors annually.[2]
History
[edit]The Kojiki explains that Atsuta Shrine was founded to house the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, a legendary sword.
According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (
The Owari clan had established the Atsuta Shrine in 192, and held the position of the shrine's high priest since ancient times, passing it down from generation to generation. However, in 1114, Kazumoto handed the position over to Fujiwara no Suenori, who was from the Fujiwara clan.[6] Since then, the Fujiwara clan became the head of Atsuta Shrine, while the Owari clan stepped down to the position of adjutant chief priest (gongūji).[7]
During the Northern and Southern Courts Period, because it was believed that the Kusanagi no Tsurugi was or had once been housed there, the Atsuta Shrine proved to be a significant site in the struggle between ousted Emperor Go-Daigo (Southern Court) and the new emperor, Takauji Ashikaga (Northern Court). Go-Daigo was a patron to Atsuta Masayoshi, the shrine's attendant, who subsequently fled with him to Mt. Hiei in 1336 and went on to command troops on Go-Daigo's behalf in 1337. In 1335, after rebelling against Go-Daigo, Takauji appointed a new shrine attendant. He later prayed there while advancing on the capital, mimicking the behavior of Minamoto no Yoritomo, who had done the same before founding the Kamakura shogunate.[8]
In 1338, the Southern Court had one more chance to occupy the shrine when Kitabatake Akiie led a large army down from the Southern Court's base on Mount Ryōzen.[8][9] In the first month of 1338, Akiie also prayed at the shrine. However, he was killed in battle soon after and the Ashikaga cemented their control over Atsuta Shrine.[8]
From 1872 through 1946, Atsuta Shrine was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (
The shrine area was originally much larger. To the northeast were vast ricefields that belonged to the shrine, they were later built over in what became Sanbonmatsu-chō (
Architecture
[edit]The shrine's buildings were maintained by donations from a number of benefactors, including well-known Sengoku period figures like Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Tokugawas. For example, the Nobunaga-Bei, a 7.4 m high roofed mud wall, was donated to the shrine in 1560 by Nobunaga as a token of gratitude for his victory at the Battle of Okehazama.[13] A wooden gate called Kaijō-mon (
In 1893, it was remodeled using the Shinmeizukuri architectural style, the same style used in the building of Ise Shrine. Before a celebration in 1935, the shrine's buildings as well as other facilities were completely rearranged and improved in order to better reflect the history and cultural significance of the shrine.[2]
During the aerial raids of the Pacific War, however, many of Atsuta Shrine's buildings were destroyed by fire. The shrine's main buildings, such as the honden, were reconstructed and completed in 1955.[2] Following the completion of these buildings, construction of other buildings continued on the shrine grounds. In 1966 the Treasure Hall was completed in order to house the shrine's collection of objects, manuscripts and documents.[21]
Augmented reality was developed to see structures that have been lost over time.[22]
Shinto belief
[edit]This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Atsuta-no-Ōkami. Also enshrined are the "Five Great Gods of Atsuta", all of whom are connected with the legendary narratives of the sacred sword — Amaterasu-Ōmikami, Takehaya Susanoo-no-mikoto, Yamato Takeru-no-mikoto, Miyazu-hime, and Take Inadane-no-mikoto.[23]
Atsuta is the traditional repository of Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the ancient sword that is considered one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.[24] Central to the Shinto significance of Atsuta Shrine is the sacred sword which is understood to be a gift from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This unique object has represented the authority and stature of Japan's emperors since time immemorial. Kusanagi is imbued with Amaterasu's spirit.[25]
During the reign of Emperor Sujin, duplicate copies of the Imperial regalia were made in order to safeguard the originals from theft.[26] This fear of theft proved to be justified during the reign of Emperor Tenji when the sacred sword was stolen from Atsuta; and it was not to be returned until the reign of Emperor Tenmu.[3] There is also the purported loss of the Kusanagi during the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, where it was presumed lost at sea when the Emperor Antoku committed suicide by drowning together with remnants of the Heike. Although not seen by the general public since that time, it is said to have remained in safekeeping at the shrine up to the present day.
Treasures
[edit]The shrine's Bunkaden, or treasure hall, houses over 4,000 relics, which include 174 Important Cultural Properties and a dagger that is a designated National Treasure of Japan. Atsuta Jingu Museum preserves and displays a variety of historic material, including the koshinpō (sacred garments, furniture and utensils for use of the enshrined deities). A number of donated swords,[27] mirrors and other objects are held by the shrine, including Bugaku masks and other material associated with ancient court dances. The Bunkaden collection ranges from ancient documents to household articles. Aichi Prefecture has designated 174 items as important cultural assets.[28]
Festivals
[edit]Over 70 ceremonies and festivals are held annually at the shrine.[21]
- Hatsu-Ebisu (January 5): Seeking good fortune in the new year from Ebisu, the kami of Fortune.[30]
- Yodameshi Shinji (January 7): The projected annual rainfall for the coming year is prophesied by measuring the amount of water in a pot kept underneath the floor of the Eastern Treasure House.[30]
- Touka Shinji (January 11): A variation on an annual ceremony (Touka-no-sechie) of the Imperial Court in the Heian period (10th-12th Century), the shrine dance becomes a prayer in movement hoping for bumper crops of the year.[30]
- Hosha Shinji (January 15): Ceremonial which involves shooting an arrow at a wooden piece called chigi fixed at the center of a huge mark.[30]
- Bugaku Shinji (May 1): A ceremonial dance from the Heian era is performed outdoors on a red painted stage.[30]
- Eyoudo Shinji (May 4): A festival to commemorate the return of the sacred sword in the reign of Emperor Tenji.[30]
- Shinyo to Gyoshinji
神輿 渡御 神事 (lit. "Mikoshi passing ritual") (May 5): A festival in which portable shrine (mikoshi) is carried in a formal procession to the western gate Chinkō-mon, where ceremonies and prayers for the security of the Imperial Palace are performed in the open air.[31][30][32] In the Meiji and Taishō era, this procession moved in sober and solemn silence. The ceremony at the gate was brief, lasting only 20 minutes; and then the mikoshi and its attendants returned into the Shrine precincts. Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa provided a new mikoshi and a complete set of robes and other accouterments for this festival on the occasion of repairs to the shrine in the 1457-1459 (Chōroku 1-3).[33] - Rei Sai (June 5): Portable tabernacles (mikoshi) in various styles are carried along the approaches to the shrine; and at night, groups of 365 lanterns (makiwara) appear lit at the gates.[30] This festival commemorates an Imperial proclamation (semmyō) issued in 1872 (Meiji 5). After 1906 (Meiji 39), exhibitions of judo, fencing (gekken), and archery (kyūdō) are presented for the gratification of the kami.[33]
Auxiliary shrines
[edit]The Atsuta Shrine has 1 betsugū, 8 sessha, and 19 massha inside the hongū, and 4 sessha and 12 massha outside hongū, 45 shrines in total (including the hongū).[34]
Betsugū
[edit]Sessha
[edit]- Ichinomisaki Shrine
- Hisakimiko Shrine
- Hikowakamiko Shrine
- Minamishingūsha
- Mita Shrine
- Shimochikama Shrine
- Kamichikama Shrine
- Ryū Shrine
Sessha outside hongū
[edit]- Takakuramusubimiko Shrine
- Hikamianego Shrine
- Aofusuma Shrine
- Matsugo Shrine
Massha
[edit]- Yako-no-Yashira
- Tōsu-no-Yashira
- Reinomimae-sha
- others
Gallery
[edit]-
Postcard of the east gate Shunkō-mon (
春敲 門 ) dedicated to Yang Guifei.[36] The gate was a National Treasure and was lost in the Pacific War. -
Main torii
-
Kusanagi Square
Access
[edit]The subway stations Atsuta Jingu Temma-cho Station and Atsuta Jingu Nishi Station serve the area. Atsuta Station is a JR station. Jingū-mae Station is a Meitetsu station.
See also
[edit]- List of Shinto shrines
- List of Jingū
- Yaizu Shrine
- List of National Treasures of Japan (crafts-swords)
Notes
[edit]- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1962). Studies in Shinto and Shrines. pp. 429-453. ISBN 9780710310590
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Atsuta-jingū org: Archived June 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine "Introduction." Archived April 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jump up to: a b Ponsonby-Fane, p. 433.
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 434.
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 435.
- ^ Naito, Toho (1975). Choshu Zasshi (
張 州 雑 志 ). Aichi-ken Kyōdo Shiryō Kankō-kai. doi:10.11501/9537297. - ^ Ota, Akira (1942). Seishi Kakei Daijiten (
姓氏 家系 大 辞典 ). Vol. 1. Kokuminsha. pp. 1038–1051. OCLC 21114789. - ^ Jump up to: a b c Conlan, Thomas Donald (2011-08-11). From Sovereign to Symbol: An Age of Ritual Determinism in Fourteenth Century Japan. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199778119.
- ^ ""Ryouzen Ima Mukashi Monogatari" Tourism Pamphlet" (PDF). date-shi.jp. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
- ^ Encyclopedia of Shinto: Atsuta Shinkō
- ^ "Nic Walking Guides: Miya to Atsuta" (PDF). www.nic-nagoya.or.jp.
- ^ "Jinguhigasi" (PDF). www.city.nagoya.jp.
- ^ Atsuta-jingū org: "Precinct" (map). Archived April 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "
大正 時代 の名古屋 「熱田 神宮 信長 塀 と海上 門 (国宝 )」 : Network2010.org". コンテンツ投稿 . Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ Jump up to: a b haru_tsuji. "
熱田 神宮 にあった国宝 の門 /海上 門 ".緑 区 周辺 そぞろ歩 き (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "『【
熱田 神宮 鎮皇門 (あつたじんぐう ちんこうもん)】』".八 百 万 の神 の浮世絵 師 持田 大輔 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "
昭和 初期 の名古屋 「熱田 神宮 鎮皇(ちんこう)門 」 : Network2010.org". コンテンツ投稿 . Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "
今昔 写 語 ". [愛知 県 ]熱田 神宮 鎮皇門 の古 写真 |昔 の写真 のあの場所 は今 どうなっている?昔 と今 を比較 する写真 ギャラリー「今昔 写 語 」 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "<あいちの
民話 を訪 ねて>(12)楊貴妃 伝説 (名古屋 市 熱田 区 ):中日新聞 Web".中日新聞 Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ shirotoshiseki (2021-10-16). "
熱田 神宮 に楊貴妃 の墓 があった!清水 社 の場所 と行 き方 を地図 で説明 ". ゼロからはじめる愛知 の城跡 と御朱印 、戦国 史跡 巡 り講座 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ Jump up to: a b Organization, Japan National Tourism. "Atsuta-jingu Shrine | Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization (Official Site)". Travel Japan. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "
名古屋 市 :AR・VR技術 を活用 した、熱田 区 の歴史 体感 事業 「熱田 歴史 探訪 」が始 まりました!(熱田 区 )". www.city.nagoya.jp. Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 429.
- ^ JapanGuide.com: Atsuta Shrine
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, pp. 438-439.
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, pp. 430-431.
- ^ Sato, Yuji (29 November 2021). "Nagoya's Atsuta Jingu shrine puts its monster-size swords on show". The Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Treasure | ATSUTA JINGU". www.atsutajingu.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ "Festival of the Atsuta Shrine at Miya, no. 42 from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō". allenartcollection.oberlin.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Festivals". Atsuta-jingū org. June 15, 2024.
- ^ "
神輿 渡御 神事 |催事 ・神事 |熱田 神宮 |初 えびす七五三 お宮参 り お祓 い名古屋 ". www.atsutajingu.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "shin'yo togyo shinji". kikuko-nagoya.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Ponsonby-Fane, p. 452.
- ^ "
別 宮 ・摂社 ・末社 (熱田 神宮 公式 サイト)" [Betsugu・Sessha・Massha (Atsuta Shrine official website)]. www.atsutajingu.or.jp. Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2021-04-01. - ^ "
戦災 で焼失 した熱田 神宮 の海上 門 を、ARで復元 。「調査 のプロ」が明 らかにした歴史 の事実 とは?|ナカシャクリエイテブ文化 情報 部 ". note(ノート) (in Japanese). 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2024-10-27. - ^ "<あいちの
民話 を訪 ねて>(12)楊貴妃 伝説 (名古屋 市 熱田 区 ):中日新聞 Web".中日新聞 Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-10-27.
References
[edit]- Iwao, Seiichi, Teizō Iyanaga, Susumu Ishii and Shôichirô Yoshida. (2002). Dictionnaire historique du Japon. Paris: Maisonneuve & Larose. ISBN 978-2-7068-1575-1; OCLC 51096469
- Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1962). Studies in Shinto and Shrines. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 3994492
External links
[edit]Media related to Atsuta Shrine at Wikimedia Commons
- (in Japanese) Atsuta-jingū website
- (in English) Atsuta-jingū website
- Beppyo shrines
- Jingū
- Shinto shrines in Nagoya
- National Treasures of Japan
- Important Cultural Properties of Japan
- Buildings and structures in Japan destroyed during World War II
- Yayoi period
- Religious buildings and structures completed in 1955
- Kanpei Taisha
- Myōjin Taisha
- Chokusaisha
- Atsuta Shrine
- Aichi Prefecture designated tangible cultural property
- Owari clan
- Yamato Takeru Legend
- Kusanagi no Tsurugi
- Shinmei-zukuri