Hikawa Shrine (Saitama)

The Hikawa Shrine (Japanese冰川 神社, Hikawa -jinja ) is a Shinto shrine in the district Ōmiya -ku the city of Saitama in Japan Saitama Prefecture.

History

In feudal Japan was the Hikawa Shrine of the ichi -no- miya ( "First shrine " ) Musashi Province.

Until the Meiji Restoration (1868 ) the priesthood was hereditary at the shrine. In the same year of the Meiji tennō paid in the course of his residence to Tokyo the shrine on 28 October a visit and elevated him to the rank of Chokusaisha. There the Tennō issued on this occasion an edict in which he said: " The worship of the gods and the observance of the [ Shinto ] ceremonies, these are the great features of the empire and the fundamental principles of the national system and the national education ... Saisei - itchi to be restored. "

The final construction of the new buildings of the shrine dates back to the year 1881.

Kami and shrines

According to legend, the Hikawa Shrine was built on the site of the river Hi 2,400 and 2,500 years ago, where Susanoo, main kami of the shrine, the dragon Yamatanoorochi killed (the river is, at this point, Ara- kawa, "river of Wrath ").

Guest - Kami ( aidono -no- kami ) of the shrine are Ō- kuni - no- mikoto and nushi - Ō- kushi - Inada -hime -no- mikoto. Your go- shintai are in Hi -no- ōji -sha and yo- tai -sha, who kept by Susanoo at Nan -tai -sha.

In addition to a shrine ( sessha ), the Monkakujin -jinja, are the parents of the Inada -hime, Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, enshrined.

On a tiny island in a pond on the grounds cry there is a small side shrine ( massha ), in which the Munakata - Kami, especially by local geisha, are worshiped.

Festivals

Important festivals at Hikawa Shrine will take place on 7 February and 15 March.

On April 15, a Matsuri is held in honor of Ō- kushi - nada -hime.

On 1 August, the shrine celebrates its annual festival ( reisai ), in which the imperial messenger ( Chokushi ) is present. Especially famous are the information presented on this occasion performances of azuma - asobi (东 游), a special type of dance music (see Gagaku ).

From November 30 to December 9, including the Daitō Matsuri is celebrated. On this occasion, a hundred varieties of dishes are the Ō- kuni - nushi offered. A fire is kept on the premises cry going up to and including December 10.

On December 10, then the Great Fire Festival takes place, which is celebrated at the shrine since the 17th century. Ō- kuni - nushi be sacrificed fishing and agricultural goods.

The traditional New Year's Visit ( hatsumōde ) 2008/2009, 2.05 million people visited the shrine, which he was the most visited of the prefecture.