![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from
the corresponding article in Japanese. (December 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Hotaka Shrine | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Shinto |
Deity | all the deities of its province, Watatsumi |
Type | Sōja shrine |
![]() |
Hotaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hotaka, Azumino, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] It is one of the three main shrines in Shinano Province. The Engishiki Jinmyocho describes it as a Myojin Taisha and it is now a Beppyo shrine.
It is a Sōja shrine. It enshrines all the kami of the shrines in Shinano Province. Whenever a new governor of Shinano Province was appointed he would be sent to the shrine to worship all the gods of the province. [6]
Ichinomiya and Soja are not the same thing but were sometimes combined. [7] In this case the Suwa-taisha is the Province's Ichinomiya. [8] [9] [10] [11]
Many people pray here before hiking in the Japanese Alps. [1] It is located near Mount Hotakadake, a major Japanese mountain. [12]
The shrine is near Hotaka Station, and located in a Chinju no Mori or sacred forest full of Japanese cedar and pine trees. [1] [13]
Two main gods are important here. The sea god Watatsumi, and his son, Hotakami no Mikoto ( Utsushihikanasaku ) the tutelary deity of the Azumi people. [1] [13] [14] and their ancestor. [15] Hotakami no Mikoto is said to have descended to earth on the nearby Mount Hotakadake. [16]
The shrine was founded by Azumi people who migrated from Kyushu. [1] [13] The migrants searched extensively across Japan until they eventually found the Azumino valley and settled there, giving up their nautical lifestyle for an agricultural one. [1] [13] This is why the shrine worships the sea gods Watatsumi and Hotakami despite being inland. [1] [13] It is an agriculturally focused shrine. [1]
In 927 it was listed as a Myojin Taisha of the Engishiki Jinmyocho. [17] It was well known across Japan in the tenth century. [1]
The shrine has several buildings:
The buildings are rebuilt every twenty years in the process of Sengu. This keeps old building methods alive. [1]
There is also a museum of local culture on the premises. [1]
At the Hotaka Shrine in Azumino City, there is an annual festival at which people express their gratitude for the gift of water. In the city, there is a traditional spot in which all three rivers (Azusa, Karasu and Nakabusa), as well as the water from the melted snow of Kamikochi's mountains, meet. Kamikochi mountain holds a great significance to the Azumi people as the water which flowed down this mountain was once used to irrigate their crops. [18] Using this water, the people of Japan perform the rituals known as "Omizu-tori" (taking water) and "Omizu-gaeshi" (returning water), whereby the water is deemed to rightfully return to the Myojin Pond. [18] During this celebration, the Azumi People commemorate their direct connection to water and their gratitude for it as it has always assisted them – both in their history as skilful seafarers and crop farmers. [19]
The Myojin Pond in Kamikochi, Japan attracts both traditional descendants of the Azumi people, as well as tourists. It has a clear, mirror-like reflection, and is classified as one of the most revered places to worship the deities of the Azumi people. [20]
Today, the Myojin Pond accommodates many visitors as the water that lays within is a reminder of the culture, tradition, and history of the Azumi people. [21]
The shrine has many branch shrines across the region. [4] some include
Every year, there is a big festival. The festival celebrates local gods and the sea. [1]
The Shrine has an Ofune Matsuri , or ship festival every September. [1] [22]
Obisha Matsuri is held every March. [1] [23] Priests shoot arrows at targets. It is said if they accurately hit the target there will be a good harvest. [23] Visitors take the arrows home with them for good luck. [23]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from
the corresponding article in Japanese. (December 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
Hotaka Shrine | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Shinto |
Deity | all the deities of its province, Watatsumi |
Type | Sōja shrine |
![]() |
Hotaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hotaka, Azumino, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] It is one of the three main shrines in Shinano Province. The Engishiki Jinmyocho describes it as a Myojin Taisha and it is now a Beppyo shrine.
It is a Sōja shrine. It enshrines all the kami of the shrines in Shinano Province. Whenever a new governor of Shinano Province was appointed he would be sent to the shrine to worship all the gods of the province. [6]
Ichinomiya and Soja are not the same thing but were sometimes combined. [7] In this case the Suwa-taisha is the Province's Ichinomiya. [8] [9] [10] [11]
Many people pray here before hiking in the Japanese Alps. [1] It is located near Mount Hotakadake, a major Japanese mountain. [12]
The shrine is near Hotaka Station, and located in a Chinju no Mori or sacred forest full of Japanese cedar and pine trees. [1] [13]
Two main gods are important here. The sea god Watatsumi, and his son, Hotakami no Mikoto ( Utsushihikanasaku ) the tutelary deity of the Azumi people. [1] [13] [14] and their ancestor. [15] Hotakami no Mikoto is said to have descended to earth on the nearby Mount Hotakadake. [16]
The shrine was founded by Azumi people who migrated from Kyushu. [1] [13] The migrants searched extensively across Japan until they eventually found the Azumino valley and settled there, giving up their nautical lifestyle for an agricultural one. [1] [13] This is why the shrine worships the sea gods Watatsumi and Hotakami despite being inland. [1] [13] It is an agriculturally focused shrine. [1]
In 927 it was listed as a Myojin Taisha of the Engishiki Jinmyocho. [17] It was well known across Japan in the tenth century. [1]
The shrine has several buildings:
The buildings are rebuilt every twenty years in the process of Sengu. This keeps old building methods alive. [1]
There is also a museum of local culture on the premises. [1]
At the Hotaka Shrine in Azumino City, there is an annual festival at which people express their gratitude for the gift of water. In the city, there is a traditional spot in which all three rivers (Azusa, Karasu and Nakabusa), as well as the water from the melted snow of Kamikochi's mountains, meet. Kamikochi mountain holds a great significance to the Azumi people as the water which flowed down this mountain was once used to irrigate their crops. [18] Using this water, the people of Japan perform the rituals known as "Omizu-tori" (taking water) and "Omizu-gaeshi" (returning water), whereby the water is deemed to rightfully return to the Myojin Pond. [18] During this celebration, the Azumi People commemorate their direct connection to water and their gratitude for it as it has always assisted them – both in their history as skilful seafarers and crop farmers. [19]
The Myojin Pond in Kamikochi, Japan attracts both traditional descendants of the Azumi people, as well as tourists. It has a clear, mirror-like reflection, and is classified as one of the most revered places to worship the deities of the Azumi people. [20]
Today, the Myojin Pond accommodates many visitors as the water that lays within is a reminder of the culture, tradition, and history of the Azumi people. [21]
The shrine has many branch shrines across the region. [4] some include
Every year, there is a big festival. The festival celebrates local gods and the sea. [1]
The Shrine has an Ofune Matsuri , or ship festival every September. [1] [22]
Obisha Matsuri is held every March. [1] [23] Priests shoot arrows at targets. It is said if they accurately hit the target there will be a good harvest. [23] Visitors take the arrows home with them for good luck. [23]
{{
cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)