Didn’t the Togasaki clan once control this area? The story of Togasaki Katori Shrine begins with them. This shrine is in Misato City. It may have been founded by the Togasaki clan.
Togasaki Katori Shrine’s construction date is unclear. The Togasaki clan is said to have controlled the Togasaki area. They may have requested the Katori Shrine in 1387. Another account says it was sometime between 1469 and 1487. Still another says the Kasai clan requested it during the Warring States period.
The shrine venerates Futsunushi no Mikoto. Other deities include Minetakusha, Asama, and Anzan.
Let’s explore the history of Togasaki Katori Shrine further. According to the “Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Kō,” Togasaki Shrine is the village’s guardian deity. A wooden tablet says it was rebuilt in 1656. It is associated with Saihuku-ji Temple. There are smaller shrines dedicated to Inari, Tenjin, Kōjin, and Anzan.
The “Saitama no Jinja” offers another perspective. The area around Togasaki Katori Shrine was once a bend in the Furi-Arakawa River. The name Togasaki means “projecting land by the river.” The shrine’s founding has several accounts. One account says the Togasaki clan requested Katori Daimyojin in 1387. This corresponds to records of construction and maintenance of Katori Shrine.
Another record suggests the deity Futsunushi was requested between 1469 and 1487. Still another account claims the Kasai clan, who controlled the area during the Warring States period, requested the shrine. The Kasai built a castle nearby.
Togasaki Katori Shrine houses a treasure. It is a Dengaku. This is a ritual where performers shake a large net under a shrine. People once stored this Dengaku at the former Togasaki Asama Shrine. It was moved to Togasaki Katori Shrine in 1910. The Dengaku dates back to the Muromachi period. An inscription mentions Togasaki-go and the Kasai family.
Each year the Togasaki Katori Shrine holds a festival. It takes place on the first Sunday in July. Three lions perform a traditional dance. This dance prays for long life, good health, and a good harvest. This has been going on since 1582.
Togasaki Katori Shrine may be the most popular place for New Year’s visits. It’s a vibrant place. It is full of history and tradition. It is also a cultural landmark.