Remember Shibuya Shigeie? In 1092, he established what we now know as \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45. This shrine serves as the guardian shrine for both Shibuya and Aoyama.
\u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 has a rich history. Kasugano Tsubone prayed here. She was the nursing mother of Tokugawa Iemitsu. Iemitsu later became the 3rd shogun of the Edo period. Tsubone prayed for his successful inauguration and peaceful reign.
Out of gratitude, she donated to \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45. Her donations included the shrine itself and a gate known as the “Shin gate”.
The shrine’s architecture is distinctive. It features a “Gongen style”. Exotic animals adorn the walls. You’ll see tigers and tapirs painted in vibrant colors. This architectural style is precious. It represents an early Edo period design.
Many believe \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 brings luck. People seek blessings for success at work and financial prosperity. Some pray for having a baby. Others ask for traffic safety.
Within the grounds of \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 are smaller shrines. You’ll find Kagura den, Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine, and Toyosaka Inari Shrine. Toyosaka Inari Shrine is especially calm. It stands next to the main shrine. Red gates called Torii lead to the worship hall.
\u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 is a short walk from Shibuya Station. The area around the shrine offers a tranquil escape. You might forget you’re in vibrant Shibuya. It provides a completely different atmosphere.
In 1051, Kawasaki Motoie supported Minamoto Yoshiie. Yoshiie governed Mutsu Province. Motoie’s support was during the Gosannen War. Yoshiie believed Motoie’s prayers to Hachiman helped him win. Hachiman is a god of war.
Motoie’s son was Kawasaki Shigeie. Emperor Horikawa granted him the name “Shibuya”. This was after Shigeie defended the imperial palace. The Shibuya clan settled near the Hachimangu. They built a castle that unfortunately burned down in 1524 during an attack.
The current \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 was constructed in 1612. Aoyama Tadatoshi and Lady Kasuga oversaw the building. It incorporates the architectural style of gongen-zukuri. The haiden and honden connect under one roof, forming an H shape.
\u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45 houses a treasure house. This houses mikoshi and other artifacts.
So, as you leave \u91d1\u738b\u516b\u5e61\u5bae \u9ce5\u5c45, remember its history. It’s a place of peace and luck. It connects you to centuries of tradition and faith.