“What secrets does this humble shrine hold?” I ask. Here before us stands Tsukudo Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Japan. It may seem like any other shrine, but it holds a unique story.
Tsukudo Shrine enshrines the spirit of Taira no Masakado. He was a samurai who lived a thousand years ago. Masakado died in 940. He was killed by the imperial army. He fought for the independence of Kanto.
Legend says Masakado’s head didn’t decay after his death. His teeth chattered. The head even flew to Edo, now Tokyo. Today, his head is believed to be buried in Otemachi, Tokyo. The burial site is called Masakado-zuka tomb.
Tsukudo Shrine once preserved a wooden box. The box held Masakado’s head for over 1000 years. Sadly, bombings destroyed the box during World War II.
Now, Tsukudo Shrine serves as a place of respect. People come to honor Taira no Masakado. They remember his courage and fight for independence. The shrine is also known as Tsukudo Myojin. It’s a place of peace amidst the city. Tsukudo Shrine connects us to Tokyo’s past. It reminds us of the samurai who shaped its history.
Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine is another shrine in Tokyo. It is located in Shinjuku.