豊鹿嶋神社

From ancient whispers to tangible history, Toyokashima Shrine stands as a testament to time. Here we are, at the site of legends and the oldest existing Shinto shrine architecture in Tokyo. Toyokashima Shrine’s story begins in 707 CE. A demon god, wreaking havoc in Musashi Province, was finally subdued at Hitachi Peak. The shrine’s founding is attributed to the fourth princess of Emperor Tenji and Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro. The people of the Imokubo area embraced Toyokashima Shrine as their protector. Throughout the Edo period, the shrine flourished, supported by 13 koku of land granted as Sharyō. Fast forward to 1993. A major restoration of the haiden, or worship hall, revealed a hidden treasure. A tōsatsu, a ridge plaque, dated 1466. This discovery confirmed the shrine’s true age and solidified its place in history, as documented in the Shinpen Musashi Fudoki Kō. The main hall, the honden, a single-bay nagare-zukuri style structure with kokera-buki wooden shingles, is a marvel. Its dimensions, 170.7 cm wide, with a moya (core) depth of 152.4 cm and a kōhai (front eaves) extending 140.4 cm, speak to its intricate design. Protected within an ōdō, a covering hall, the honden’s original features, including thick wooden planks known as atsuita-buki, are preserved. The 1466 tōsatsu revealed the master carpenter’s name: Jirōsaburō Chikayoshi. Toyokashima Shrine also boasts designated cultural treasures. The wooden komainu, guardian lion-dogs, and a shishigashira, a lion head likely from the late Edo period, add layers of history to this sacred place. Imagine the lion dances, or Shishimai, once performed here. Toyokashima Shrine, from its legendary beginnings to its carefully preserved architecture, is a journey through time. It offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Shinto tradition in Tokyo.