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Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (Ogon-no-toi,location,history)
Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, Ogon-no-toi
The information about Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is presented here. Iwashimizu-sai, held every year on September 15 at Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, became a chokusai (imperial festival) in 948 and was counted as one of the san-chokusai (the three great imperial festivals) along with Aoi-Matsuri of Kamo Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine) and Kasuga-sai of Kasuga Taisha. Iwashimizu-sai was called “Hojo-e” during the period of syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism.
【Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine Location Map & Directions】
Address: 30 Yawata Takabo, Yawata City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Cable Hachimangu-sanjo Station (about 2 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 5:30-18:30 (April-September), 6:00-18:00 (October), 6:30-18:00 (November-March, Excluding December 31st-January 19th)
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual: Free
【Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine History】
Mt. Otoko-yama, where Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is located, is said to have been the site of Ishimizu-dera Temple (Ishimizu-ji Temple, 石清水寺), which houses the main statue of Yakushi Nyorai, was built. When Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (石清水八幡宮) was built, Ishimizu-dera Temple (Ishimizu-ji Temple) became a shrine temple of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. Incidentally, Ishimizu-dera Temple (Ishimizu-ji Temple) is now Ishimizu Shrine (石清水社), a branch shrine of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, which enshrines Ama-no-Minakanushi no Kami, the deity of the shrine. Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is said to have originated in 859, when Gyokyo, a monk of Daian-ji Temple in Nara, received a divine oracle from Hachiman Okami of Usa Hachimangu Shrine in Buzen Province (Oita), and the spirit of Hachiman Okami was enshrined on Mt. Otoko-yama. Gyokyo hid in the Usa Hachimangu Shrine and prayed day and night, and received a divine oracle from Hachiman Okami saying, “Enshrine on the summit of Mt. Otoko-yama near the capital and protect the nation. In 860, the 52nd Emperor Seiwa built a Hachiman-dukuri shrine building (Rokuu-no-Hoden). In 862, Ishimizu-dera Temple (Ishimizu-ji Temple), which is a shrine temple, changed its name to Gokoku-ji Temple (護国寺). Iwashimizu Hachimangu then deepened its syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism. After that, Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine and Gokoku-ji Temple merged and became known as “Iwashimizu Hachimangu Gokokuji (石清水八幡宮護国寺)”. Gokuraku-ji Temple was built in 883. In 939, the Johei-Tengyoi-no-Ran (Taira no Masakado-no-Ran and Fujiwara no Sumitomo-no-Ran) occurred, and when it was suppressed, Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine was revered by the imperial family as a shrine of national protection. Since the visits of the 64th Emperor Enyu, there have been more than 240 visits by emperors and retired emperors. In 939, Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine received the status of being dedicated after Ise Jingu Shrine and was called “Nisho Sobyo” together with Ise Jingu Shrine. In 1111, the 72nd Emperor Shirakawa built the Shingon sect’s Dai-to (large pagoda), and in 1112, it is said that the Tendai sect’s Ho-to (pagoda) was built. Since the late Heian period (794-1185), Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine has been worshipped as a clan god by the Ashikaga, Tokugawa, Imagawa, Takeda clans and other Genji clans, and has been regarded as a warrior god, a bow and arrow god, and a god of victory. In addition, the 2nd generation of the Kawachi Genji, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, prayed for victory at Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine for the Zenkunen-no-eki that occurred in Oshu (Tohoku). Then, in 1063, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi solicited Ishishimizu Hachimangu as Tsuruoka Wakamiya Shrine, which became the origin of Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura. In the early Kamakura period (1185-1333), Minamoto no Yoritomo, the 1st shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, donated a territory to Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine and protected a territory. In 1375, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, visited Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine and visited more than 20 times after that. In 1429, a kuji (lottery) was held at Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, and Ashikaga Yoshinori was chosen as the 6th Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and was named “Kuji-biki-Shogun. In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Houjoe was discontinued due to the Onin War (1467-1477). In 1580, Oda Nobunaga donated an ogon-no-toi (golden rain gutter) to Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. In the Momoyama period (1573-1603), Toyotomi Hideyoshi, donated a territory to Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. In the early Edo period (1603-1868), Toyotomi Hideyori, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, restored or rebuilt the shrine buildings of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. In 1603, Dai-to (large pagoda) was rebuilt,in 1604, Ho-to (pagoda) was rebuilt and in 1605, Amidado was rebuilt. In 1634, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Edo shogunate, rebuilt Honden (Main Hall), Heiden, Buden, To-mon East Gate, and Sai-mon Gate. In the Edo period (1603-1867), sub-temples and shukubo were built along the approach to the temple, including Gokoku-ji Temple and Gokuraku-ji Temple, which were known as “Otokoyama-shijuhachi-bo”. Hozo-bo was considered a kigansho (prayer temple) for the shoguns, and a statue of Toshodai Gongen, the 1st shogun of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was enshrined there. After the Meiji Restoration, the name of the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine was changed from “Hachiman Daibosatsu” to “Hachiman Okami” due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism ordinance, Because of the Haibutsukishaku, the Dai-to (large pagoda) and the Ho-to (pagoda) were dismantled, and the amidado was moved to the Nishi Kurumaduka tomb, which was within the precincts of the enclave of Shobo-ji Temple. In addition, Jingu-ji Temple and Gokoku-ji Temple were abandoned, the statue of Yakushi Nyorai and Juni-Shinsho (Twelve Heavenly Generals) were moved to Tozan-ji Temple on Awaji Island, and the statue of Tosho Daigongen in Hozo-bo was moved to Toji-in Temple. In 1871, the name of Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine was changed to Otokoyama Hachimangu Shrine, and in 1918, the name of the shrine was changed to “Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine.
*reference・・・Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine website
【Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Honden (Main Hall, 本殿, National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1634 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Edo shogunate. Honden is divided into an inner and an outer hall, and Ogon-no-toi (golden rain gutters) donated by Oda Nobunaga are located in the valley between the roofs of the inner and outer halls. Honden enshrines Hondawake-no-mikoto, the 15th Emperor Ojin, in the center front, Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto, the Empress Jingu, in the east front, and Hime-okami, Munakata-sanjoshin, in the west front.
★Romon (Romon Gate, 楼門, National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1634 by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shogun of the Edo shogunate, and has an aoi-no-mon (hollyhock crest) on the inside. Romon is the entrance to Honden.
★Gorin-no-to (Five Ring Pagoda, 五輪塔, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been built in the late Kamakura period (1275-1332). It is said that Gorin-no-to was donated by a wealthy merchant in Amagasaki, Settsu (Hyogo), who prayed and escaped a maritime disaster. It is also said that during the Mongol invasion of the Kamakura period, the monk Eison of Saidai-ji Temple prayed and built Gorin-no-to as a memorial to a kamikaze. Gorin-no-to is 6 meters high and is said to be the largest in Japan.
石清水八幡宮見どころ (Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine Highlights)
【Events (confirmation required)】
★Oniyarai-shinji (鬼やらい神事) is held every year on the Sunday before Setsubun. Oniyarai-shinji is held according to an ancient ceremony handed down from the Imperial Palace. In front of Honden, Oniyarai-bito (person) shoots at the four directions and the eho of the year with a bow made of peach branches to exorcise evil spirits, and strikes at the four directions and the eho with a sword made of peach branches while shouting “Oni-yarau”.
★Otokoyama Sakura Matsuri (男山桜まつり) is held from late March to April 30th, including the period when the cherry blossoms are at their best. At Otokoyama Sakura Matsuri, traditional performing arts and martial arts are dedicated, and ocha-seki (tea ceremony) is held. There are also events such as a tayu-dochu is held.
★Iwashimizu-sai (石清水祭) is held every year on September 15th. On Iwashimizu-sai, under the light of torches, a procession of horen (mikoshi), priests, gakujin (musicians), and shinjin leaves Honden and heads to Kinuyaden. Hojo-e, fish and birds are released into the Hojo-gawa River, and Kocho-no-mai (dance) is performed by children.
【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】
★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around early April. About 2,000 cherry trees, including Yama-zakura, Somei Yoshinos, and weeping cherry blossoms, are planted around the shrine garden and Mt. Otoko-yama, which is about 143 meters above sea level, and the scenery of cherry blossoms and Mt. Otoko-yama is said to be beautiful. Mt. Otoko-yama is colored pink.
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees, ginkgo, and other trees are distributed in Mt. Otoko-yama, and it is said that the scenery of autumn leaves, Honden and approach is beautiful. It is said that the contrast between autumn leaves and evergreens is beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-981-3001
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended route from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is to walk up to the join from the kain without using the Ishishimizu Hachimangu Shrine Approach Cable. The join can be reached in about 20 minutes using the front approach or about 15 minutes using the back approach. There are not many sightseeing spots around Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, so it may be better to go to the next sightseeing spot and explore the surrounding area.
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, be sure to check the latest information.