Komagata Shrine Explained

Religious Affiliation:Shinto

Komagata Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Japan.[1] It is the ichinomiya of Rikuchū Province.[2]

Komagata Shrine is called "Komagata-san" by locals and is a significant religious place in the Hakone region.[3]

Overview

The entrance to the shrine has a Koshin pagoda and red banners that represent the seven deities of Hakone. Stones at the entrance show the Buddhist demon-god, Shomen Kongo. Stairs lead to the main shrine.

In ancient times war horses were grown there.[4]

Komagata Shrine is important in Japan. It is known as "Riku Chugoku Ichinomiya". The inner shrine, "Okumiya", is on Mount Komagatake summit. The area around the shrine was once known for war horse production. The shrine is linked to Shinto Buddhist studies. It features the horse head Kannon and Dainichi Nyorai. People worship it in many parts of Eastern Japan.

Deities worshipped

The shrine is dedicated to six gods. These include Amaterasu Omikami and Hiko Hohodemi no Mikoto.

The shrine offers various blessings. These include industrial development and traffic safety. It helps with exam success and home safety. It also offers protection against bad directions. The shrine fulfills personal wishes.

Other deities are also in the precincts. Yama no Kamisha includes Oyamatsumi no Kami and Konohanasakuya Hime no Kami. There are separate shrines like Shiogama Jinja and Mizusawa Shokonsha.

History

The shrine's founding date is unknown. Many legends are associated with it. The Kameno clan revered Mt. Akagi. They worshiped the god of Akagi. The worship evolved over time. Komagata Ogami was enshrined on Komagatake. The shrine appears in the "Engishiki Jinmyocho". This record was completed in December 927 AD.

The shrine appears in "Nihon Montokutenno Jitsuroku" and "Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku.".

The area around the shrine was once known for war horse production. The shrine is linked to Shinto Buddhist studies. It features the horse head Kannon and Dainichi Nyorai. People worship it in many parts of Eastern Japan.

The shrine used to be a subshrine of Shiogama shrine but it later was moved since it was hard to get to.

Okumiya and Satomiya

Originally, Okumiya was on "Dainichidake." It was later moved to "Komagatake." Satomiya are auxiliary shrines. They were built at Komagatake's foot. This made worship easier.

Sub-temples and deities

The shrine complex has different subshrines:

References

35.1875°N 139.0216°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Seven Wonders of Tainaisan Shrine - Hanamaki, Iwate . 2023-04-25 . JapanTravel . 27 March 2021 . en.
  2. Web site: Komagata Shrine attraction reviews - Komagata Shrine tickets - Komagata Shrine discounts - Komagata Shrine transportation, address, opening hours - attractions, hotels, and food near Komagata Shrine . 2023-04-25 . TRIP.COM . en-XX.
  3. Web site: Hakone-Sekisho . 2023-10-19 . www.hakonesekisyo.jp.
  4. Web site: 2023-05-02 . 駒形神社 本社(komagata shrine) - shrine-heritager . 2023-11-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230502015657/https://shrineheritager.com/en/%E9%A7%92%E5%BD%A2%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE-%E6%9C%AC%E7%A4%BE%EF%BC%88komagata-shrine%EF%BC%89/ . 2023-05-02 .