Takanawa Shrine

In 1524, a pivotal battle shaped the very ground we stand on before Takanawa Shrine. Hōjō Ujitsuna’s victory in the Siege of Edo, also known as the Battle of Takawanahara, gave birth to the name “Takanawa.” The shrine, originally an Inari Jinja founded between 1492 and 1501, became intertwined with this historical event. Takanawa Shrine, nestled in Minato Ward, Tokyo, witnessed the transformation of its surroundings from battleground to bustling city. Now, imagine Takanawa Shrine in its early days, facing east overlooking the Tōkaidō and Tokyo Bay. Its torii gate, koma-inu statues, and the Kōshin-dō and Taishi-dō halls stood proudly. The Taishi-dō, built between 1655 and 1668, housed a wooden image of Shōtoku Taishi, believed to be carved by the prince himself at the age of sixteen. Tragedy struck in 1845 when fire ravaged Takanawa Shrine. Only the stone structures survived: the entrance gate, the 1667 torii, and the 1709 koma-inu. The Kōshin-dō was lost, its enshrined deity Shōmenkongō replaced by Sarutahiko-kami after the 1868 Shinbutsu Bunri. The Taishi-dō, renamed Jichō Jinja, became an in-ground shrine. Takanawa Shrine, designated a village shrine, retained the name Inari Jinja until 1877. Then, it merged with a Hachiman Jinja and was renamed Takanawa Jinja in 1929. The current main hall of Takanawa Shrine, built in 1980, whispers tales of resilience and renewal. Within the shrine grounds, look for the intricate koma-inu statues. They guard the Taishi-Gū, an impressive in-ground shrine. The collection of chikara-ishi, or “strength stones,” adds another layer of intrigue. You might even spot statues of Ebisu and Daikokuten, enhancing the shrine’s unique ambiance. Takanawa Shrine stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of this area.