“Eight deities reside here.” That’s what they say about the \u751f\u5b9f\u795e\u793e. This Shinto shrine sits in Chiba. It is more than just a place of worship. It’s a testament to history and resilience.
\u751f\u5b9f\u795e\u793e was once called 御霊神社 or Goryo Shrine. The enshrined deities include Emperor Sudo and Prince Iyo. Other figures include Fujiwara Yoshiko and Fujiwara Hirotsugu. There are also deities like Kichibi Daijin and Tachibana no Hayanari. Plus, there are the spirits of Bunya no Miyatamaro and the god of fire and thunder.
These eight deities share a common thread. Each faced accusations of treachery against the Imperial Court. They met tragic ends. Fujiwara Hirotsugu, Tachibana no Hayanari, and Bunya no Miyatamaro faced exile or were subdued in battle. The five spirits relate to Emperor Kammu. They are vengeful spirits.
This land was once part of the Kitakobari Castle. It stood along the main route from the castle’s main gate. The shrine’s founding date is unclear. Yet, historians believe the Hara clan built it. They were vassals of the Chiba clan during the medieval period.
During the Edo period, \u751f\u5b9f\u795e\u793e stood east of the \u751f\u5b9f Domain residence. In 1707, Mori Chushimori Mitsuhiro prayed here. He was the fourth lord of the domain. By 1710, he had built the main shrine, worship hall, and offering hall. Since then, the Mori clan has revered this shrine.
The shrine buildings saw reconstruction in 1744 and again in 1860. In 1714, the same lord advanced from temple and shrine magistrate. He then dedicated a torii gate to the shrine. Stone torii gates date back to 1805 and 1806. Locals and people from the \u751f\u5b9f domain contributed them.
The奉射祭 or Hōsha-sai festival involves the people from Nakamachi and Kamimachi. It also involves the people from the 上宿 or Kamisuku. It occurred every year on the fifteenth day of the New Year. A record called 奉射祭当番組覚帳, or Hōsha-sai Tōban-gumi Oboecho, exists. It documents participants from 1673 onward.
In modern times, each group within the village made offerings. The Shinto priest visited each year’s host home. He performed rituals. The hosts prepared a sacred space. They hung scrolls with divine symbols. They offered food. After prayers, all households in the group shared a meal.
The shrine’s rituals once took place on the fourteenth and fifteenth days of September. Later, they shifted to October 16th and 17th. Now, the main festival is on the second Sunday of October. It falls on the day before Sports Day.
A unique ritual takes place within the shrine called 湯立 or Yutate. It involves offering hot water. This tradition dates back to 1711. Yutate may originate from ancient divination methods. The ritual starts around 7 PM. The Shinto priest, representatives, and community members gather.
First, they prepare a cauldron of hot water. It sits before the shrine. The priest makes two bundles of bear bamboo. He cuts white paper into strips. He mixes it with hemp. These offerings are placed before the gods. The priest prays. He then dips the bamboo into the hot water. He sprinkles the water around. He shakes the bamboo. He scatters paper pieces. It ends the ceremony. Some say this water cures eye ailments.
In 1871, the shrine became the guardian of 305 households. These households came from various 小字 or koaza areas. In 1910, it was renamed \u751f\u5b9f\u795e\u793e.