Washinomiya Shrine

Washinomiya Shrine, the oldest large shrine in the Kanto region and the headquarters of the rooster, is often mentioned in the Azuma Kagami, a history book written in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and was deeply respected by the warriors of the Kanto region.

In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the shrine was rebuilt by the shogunate, and in the Edo period (1603-1867), the Tokugawa shoguns donated 400 koku to the shrine as its territory.

The shrine is also home to a traditional form of kagura called Washinomiya-homagura-kagura, which has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in recognition of its value.

This kagura is considered to be the origin of Kanto kagura and is said to have laid the foundation for sato kagura of the Edo period.

In recent years, the shrine has become a sacred place for anime, attracting many fans from all over Japan and abroad.

History

According to legend, this is the oldest and largest shrine in the Kanto region, and was once also called “Washinomiya-daimyojin,” “Ukishima-daimyojin,” and “Daiyu-gensho.

In ancient times, Amahoninomikoto and his son Takebitorinomikoto arrived here with 27 members of the Izumo tribe, along with their father and son, Masahiko and Masatake, to settle the eastern provinces. In cooperation with the local tribes, they are said to have enshrined Omikinomikoto as the local deity. This was the present-day Kanzaki Shrine, a separate shrine. Later, it is said that when Nihon no Mutsuonobu visited the area to pacify the eastern provinces, he built the main shrine, Washimiya Shrine, to pray for victory, and enshrined Amahoninomikoto and Takebitorinomikoto. However, these events are not mentioned in the Engishiki Shinmeicho or Kokushi (National History).

History

Washinomiya Shrine is the self-proclaimed “oldest large shrine in Kanto,” but this claim has no basis, as the first recorded mention of the shrine appears in the Azuma Kagami in 1251,[1] which is the third year of Kencho. It is unclear when it came to be called “the oldest shrine in Kanto,” but in the “Shinmeicho Kousho” completed by Yoshida Shinto at least in 1733 (Kyoho 18), it was identified with Engishiki-naisha Mae-tama Shrine, which was later accepted by Washinomiya Shrine as well[1]. Since the Meiji era (1868-1912), the shrine no longer claims to be the “Oronsha of Mae-tama Shrine,” but the designation “the oldest shrine in Kanto” remains. Excavations have also revealed remains from the Jomon period (Washinomiya Horinai ruins), indicating that the area has been inhabited for a long time.

After the Middle Ages, the area surrounding Washinomiya Shrine became Ota-so, the shogun’s fiefdom, and was revered by warriors in the East as the head shrine and town-keeper of the Kanto region[1]. In 1251 (Kencho 3), it is recorded in Azuma Kagami that Hojo Tokiyori made a votive offering to the shrine, and the shrine was treated as a prayer hall by the Kamakura shogunate[1]. In addition, Fujiwara Hidesato, Nitta Yoshisada, the Lord of Furukawa, the successive Uesugi clan of the Kanto region, and the Go-Hojo clan made dedications and donations, and constructed shrine buildings. From the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period (1333-1573), it was the head shrine of Ota-so and was guarded by the Ota clan, descended from Fujiwara Hidesato[1], and a castle called Kurihara Castle existed behind it. In 1372 (Oan 5), the shrine was rebuilt by Oyama Yoshimasa. Many branch shrines were also created within Ota Manor and along the Nakagawa (Furutone River).

In 1591, Tokugawa Ieyasu donated 400 koku to the shrine as its territory, and successive shoguns issued letters of red seal

Successive shoguns issued red seal letters and relieved the company of its territory (red seal land). After the downfall of the Oyama clan, from the Warring States period to the early Edo period, the position of chief priest was taken over by the Ouchi clan, descendants of Ryocen Yasuyo[1]. From the early Edo period to the early Meiji period, the Ouchi clan ruled the shrine’s territory (about 1,000 koku). In the early Edo period, when Tokugawa Iemitsu visited Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the Ouchi clan participated in guarding the crossing of the Tone River and saved Iemitsu when he fell into the Tone River. For this achievement, his territory would originally have been increased, but since it was so soon after the Battle of Sekigahara and he could not afford it, he was instead given a 10,000-koku estate within Edo Castle. Therefore, it is said that Ouchi’s vassals were treated as “retainers” in Edo Castle, and when they ascended the castle, they were taken to a room where lords passed through.

The Washinomiya Shrine had several temples of the Toyoyama school of Shingi Shingon Buddhism, including Daijyoin, Manzenji, Fukudenbo, Jissoin, and Hoshuin, as its offerings, of which Daijyoin had the status of a separate temple [1]. The Ouchi clan, the chief priest of Washinomiya Shrine, was associated with the Yoshida family of the Jingi Kanri Choujo, and was the sole promoter of Yoshida Shinto since the mid-Edo period. This led to several disputes, including one time when the Daijyoin was torn down [1]. However, Daijyo-in was later restored and maintained its status as a separate temple until the end of the Edo period.

In 1868, Washinomiya Shrine was designated as an associate imperial shrine (one of the Twelve Shrines of Tokyo) by the new Meiji government. Due to the reorganization of temples and consolidation of shrines in the early Meiji period, the detached temple, Daijyoin, was abolished. Although the system of “associate imperial shrine” was soon abolished, Washinomiya Shrine retained its status as a prefectural shrine and was enshrined together with nine other shrines in the neighborhood. After the war, Washinomiya Shrine became an annexed shrine.