三嶋神社

Tucked away in the bustling heart of Tokyo’s Shitaya area sits Mishima Jinja. This unassuming Shinto shrine holds a captivating secret. Mishima Jinja is renowned for its “never fall or fail” divine grace. This intriguing blessing originates from the shrine’s legendary Thunder Well. Mishima Jinja enshrines three prominent deities. Ōyamazumi-no-mikoto, the kami of mountains and military arts, governs victory. Kamitsuhime-no-mikoto, his daughter, is revered for immortality and longevity. Their family is completed by Konohana-no-sakuyahime-no-mikoto, the kami of safe childbirth and family happiness. Mishima Jinja’s history dates back to the Kamakura period. A valiant warrior named Kōno Michiari had a divine dream. Following this dream, he began worshipping Ōyamazumi-no-mikoto, the patron kami of his family. This act of devotion marked the beginning of Mishima Jinja. The shogunate repeatedly ordered the shrine’s relocation. However, the local villagers, deeply devoted to Mishima Jinja, resisted. Their unwavering faith ensured the shrine remained in Shitaya. Now, about the Thunder Well. Legend says the area was once plagued by frequent thunderstorms. One day, a bolt of lightning struck the Mishima Jinja grounds. A quick-thinking priest seized the opportunity and captured the thunder in the shrine’s well. The trapped thunder pleaded for release. The priest agreed, but only under the condition that thunder never again strike the area. Remarkably, the thunder agreed. It is said that since then, lightning has never fallen upon this sacred ground. Today, Mishima Jinja offers special prayers for those seeking to avoid misfortune and failure. They offer unique amulets, votive tablets, and even traditional Japanese tea and sweets within the shrine. So, as you stand before Mishima Jinja, remember the story of the captured thunder. Perhaps you too will receive a spark of the shrine’s “never fall or fail” grace.