Can you see the dragon carvings? They adorn the main hall of Iimorijinja Shrine. This shrine is also known as Iimori Shrine. It stands as a testament to Fukuoka’s rich history and culture.
Iimorijinja Shrine’s upper shrine site sits atop Mount Iimori. This peak reveals roof tile shards from the Heian period. Nearby halls house artifacts. Look for a statue of Monju Bosatsu. It dates back to the Kamakura period. You can also find a stone tablet from the Nanbokucho era.
The main hall you see was built in 1786. Some say it was 1650. It is a designated cultural asset of the city. The shrine’s treasures include stone guardian dogs. These date to the Nanbokucho era. They are in Song style. Ancient documents are city-designated cultural assets.
Each year in March, Iimorijinja Shrine hosts Kayu-ura. This is a prefecturally designated intangible folk cultural asset. It foretells the year’s harvest. In autumn, the shrine celebrates Nagare Yabusame. This is a city-designated intangible folk cultural asset. It showcases horsemanship.
Iimorijinja Shrine was founded in 859. It enshrines Izasaki no Mikoto. The shrine was once called Iimori Daimyojin. The Matsuura clan revered it. They dedicated rice fields to the shrine.
In 1871, the shrine’s name changed to Iimorijinja Shrine. That same year, it became a village shrine. Iimorijinja Shrine holds festivals from October 17th to 19th. During these festivals, Heito Kagura is performed.
Within the grounds of Iimorijinja Shrine lies Shokonsha Shrine. A monument honors the war dead. The shrine’s deity is Izanagi. Iimorijinja Shrine also enshrines other deities. These include Daikokuten and Ebisu.
Note the lanterns before the hall. They stand over three meters tall. They are a unique feature. The red and white torii gate marks the main hall. Red symbolizes the east. White symbolizes the west. This split is a rare sight at shrines.
East of Iimori mountain lies the Yoshitake Takaki ruins. Here, archaeologists discovered a pit dwelling tomb group. They also found traces of warehouse pillars. The artifacts included a set of the three sacred treasures. These are among the oldest found. Iimorijinja Shrine is a place of reverence. It is a cultural landmark. It connects us to Fukuoka’s past.