Here at Nanamegari Jinja the air seems charged with history. The Seven Curves Shrine holds stories stretching back centuries. Let’s step closer.
This shrine’s story begins long ago. It started on Mount Sawa’s peak. Then something changed. In 1603, a lord named Okichika Hiooki gained control of Kanakawa. He moved the shrine to the eastern foothills of Mount Shiro.
Time passed. In 1673, Mitsumasa Ikeda became the lord of Bizen. He appointed a new official to oversee shrine affairs. Later in 1769, the shrine moved to its current location.
In 1773, a man named Kanefusa Buhe restored the shrine with sacred items. A year later, Okiakira Hiooki built a new shrine building. It has been renovated several times since then. The current building was completed in 1938.
“Hanayo” is a lion dance connected to Nanamegari Jinja. The Hiooki family had many adopted children. The birth of a son was very important to secure the family’s future. This wish is reflected in the lion dance. A female lion performs three forms. These are “Sakariha”, “Sleeping Lion” and “Standing Lion”. These represent a prayer for a good harvest. They also ward off evil spirits. The dance includes a sexual element that relates to fertility.
The “Hanayo” also involves a tengu. Tengu are considered messengers of the Monkey Field Peak Great God. The Monkey Field Peak Great God guides people. He protects them from evil. The tengu wears a mask. It wears red or blue clothes. It carries a board similar to a Shinto priest’s tool. It chases young women. It is allowed to pat their bottoms with the board. This is believed to bring them many children in the future.
During the Edo period, there was more freedom between men and women. In Okayama Domain strict rules existed. Young men could be punished for teasing women. However festivals were a time of release. People drank sake. Music played. People felt free.
Nanamegari Jinja also has a festival. It is called the Seven Curves Seven Evening Festival. In 2023, it was revived after 455 years. The shrine is lit with seven colors. This illuminates the spirits of Mitasu.
During the Warring States period, Matsuda Motonao built Kanakawa Castle on Mount Ioryu. He placed Nanamegari Daimyojin under the castle’s protection.
Since 1869, Nanamegari Daimyojin has been called Nanamegari Jinja. It is loved as the guardian shrine of Kanakawa.
The shrine enshrines several deities. These include Amaterasu Omikami and Toyouke Omikami. It also enshrines Kasuga Daimyojin and Hachiman Daibosatsu. Sarutahiko no Mikoto is also enshrined.
Look closely at the characters on the shrine’s gable. The writing of “Seven Curves” is slightly different. The reason for this is unknown.
Nanamegari Jinja is a place where old customs meet new life. It is a place where prayers are offered for a good future. As we leave take a moment to remember its rich past.