“Is this the place?” someone asks their friend. Yes it is. We are standing before Tamadeyama Sakatoke Jinja. It is also known as Sakatoke Jinja. This shrine resides near the summit of Mount Tenno in Oyamazaki. It is a place steeped in history.
Sakatoke Jinja’s origins are ancient. It possibly dates back to the Nara period around 717 AD. Originally called Yamasaki-no-Mori, it was once located at the site of the current Rigu Hachiman-gu. The shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho. This is a register of shrines. It was designated as a Kanpei Taisha. This means that it received offerings from the government.
The shrine’s fortunes declined. Its location was forgotten until the Meiji era. The current Sakatoke Jinja is near the mountaintop. It was once known as Yamasaki Tenno-sha. This enshrined Gozu Tenno. Mount Tenno was originally called Mount Yamasaki. It was renamed after this shrine. In June of Meiji 10, Yamasaki Tenno-sha was identified as the Engishiki. It was identified as Sakatoke Jinja. It was then renamed Sakatoke Jinja.
The main deity enshrined here is Oyamatsumi no Kami. He is the god of mountains. He is also the god of sake brewing and wine. Sakatoke Jinja is considered the ancestral shrine of the Kamo clan.
The main hall is built in the Kasuga-zukuri style. This features a gabled roof. The hall dates back to the late Edo period. Adjacent to the main hall stands the Shinko-den. This is designated as an Important Cultural Property. It is said to be the oldest storehouse-style structure in Japan. This unique structure is a board-walled storehouse. It is made of thick corner timbers. These timbers are assembled with split thickness. The storehouse was built in the late Muromachi period. Two portable shrines are housed within.
The shrine holds its annual festival from May 3rd to 5th. During this festival, the portable shrines parade through the area. This happens every other year on May 5th. A year-end ritual is also held on December 31st.
Mount Tenno stands 270.4 meters tall. It was once called Mount Yamazaki. The shrine is located near the summit of the mountain. During the Northern and Southern Courts period, a mountain castle was built. It was built west of Tenno-sha. It was built for the Southern Court’s defense. A castle was constructed by Hideyoshi Toyotomi during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. This was built west of Tenno-sha. It served briefly as his headquarters.
Near the path is the graves of thirteen retainers. They were loyalists from the Kinmon Incident. They retreated to Mount Tenno. They were attacked by the Shinsengumi. They committed suicide on the mountain.
On the east side of Mount Tenno, natural forests of Shiia trees extend. In 1997, Kyoto Prefecture designated Mount Tenno as a Historical Natural Environment. Near Sakatoke Jinja, a large Zelkova tree stands. Its trunk measures 3.3 meters around.
Sakatoke Jinja is a place of history. It is a place of natural beauty. It is a place of cultural significance. It offers a glimpse into Japan’s past. Take a moment to appreciate the serene atmosphere. Imagine the generations who have visited this sacred site.