| Mizuwakasu Shrine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Deity | Mizuwakasu-no-mikoto |
| Location | |
| Location | Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture |
  Mizuwakasu Shrine in Japan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 36°16′51.57″N 133°14′57.19″E / 36.2809917°N 133.2492194°E |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
| Glossary of Shinto | |
Mizuwakasu Shrine (水若酢神社, Mizuwakasu-jinja) is a Japanese Shinto shrine located in Okinoshima, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture. It is a Myojin Taisha. It is the Ichinomiya Oki Province or the highest ranked shrine in the province.[1] It is ranked as a Beppyo shrine, or a special shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines. The crest of the shrine has a chrysanthemum symbol.[2]
It enshrines the deity Mizuwakasu-no-mikoto. This deity is linked to land development in Oki Province and sea protection.[1][3]
History
According to legend, the deity rose from the sea, off the shore of Igo, crossed Mt. Ōmine and entered the former Goka Village.[1]
The shrine might date back to the Kofun Period. This was during Emperor Suijin or Emperor Nintoku's reign.[1]
In the Engishiki Jinmyocho, it was listed as a Myojin Taisha in 927.[4][1]
The shrine is important in Oki Province. It guards the Sea of Japan. It appears in the Shoku Nihongi, a historical text. The Inshū Shicho Gakki, from the Edo Period, mentions it. The Owari Kokunai Jinmyōchō names it as Mizuwakasu Myojin Oki Ichinomiya Shrine.[1]
The present Honden was made in 1795.[2]
It was damaged during Haibutsu kishaku.[5]
Architecture
The shrine's style is unique. The front is Yuiitsu Shinmei-zukuri, like Ise Grand Shrine. The roof is Taisha-zukuri, like Izumo Grand Shrine. The pent roof is Kasuga-zukuri, like Kasuga Grand Shrine. This mix is called Oki-zukuri.[1]
| Mizuwakasu Shrine | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese name | |||||
| Kanji | 水若酢神社 | ||||
| Hiragana | みずわかすじんじゃ | ||||
| |||||
Cultural Status
The shrine is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government.[1]
Festivals
The grand festival is held on May 3 in odd-numbered years.[1]
See also
- Yurahime Shrine
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Mizuwakasu Shrine | List of Geopark Sites and Treasures". Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- 1 2 "水若酢神社（Mizuwakasu Shrine） - shrine-heritager". 2023-05-28. Archived from the original on 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-11-21.
- ↑ Shinto shrines and festivals (in Japanese). Association of Shinto Shrines, Kokugakuin University, Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics. 1958.
- ↑ Engi-shiki; Procedures of the Engi Era: Books VI-X. Sophia University. 1972.
- ↑ Business Japan. Nihon Kogyo Shimbun. July 1988.