Susa Shrine Explained

Susa Shrine
Native Name:須佐神社
Religious Affiliation:Shinto
Coordinates:35 degrees 14 minutes 04.8 seconds north latitude 132 degrees 44 minutes 13.0 seconds east longitude
Location:730 Susa, Sada-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture
Deity:Susanoo-no-MikotoKushinadahimeAshinazuchi and Tenazuchi
Festival:April 18
Municipality:Izumo, Shimane
Website:https://www.susa-jinja.jp/
Architecture Type:Taisha-zukuri
Established:776

is a Shinto shrine in Izumo, Shimane, Japan. It is the 18th Shinto shrine in the Enza-no-kai Organization[1] list of shrines and temples considered important to the historical region of Izumo, which includes other major shrines in Shimane and Tottori Prefectures including Izumo-taisha, Kumano-taisha, and Ōgamiyama Jinja.

The main deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and his wife, Inada-hime, and Inada-hime's parents, Ashimazuchi-no-mikoto and Temazuchi-no-mikoto, are also enshrined.[2]

The shrine is listed in the Izumo Fudoki as one of five shrines in Iishi District that were registered with the Department of Divinities. This shrine is identified as the place in what was formerly the township of Susa where Susanoo chose to enshrine his spirit.[3] The shrine was also known as Jūsansho Daimyōjin (十三所大明神) and Susa no Ōmiya (須佐大宮 'Great Shrine of Susa') during the medieval and early modern periods.[4] [5] The shrine's priestly lineage, the Susa (or Inada) clan (須佐氏 / 稲田氏), were considered to be the descendants of Susanoo via his son Yashimashino-no-Mikoto (八島篠命, the Kojiki's Yashimajinumi-no-Kami)[6] [7] or Ōkuninushi. Besides Susanoo, his consort Kushinadahime and her parents Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi are also enshrined here as auxiliary deities.[8]

History

The shrine was founded in 776[9]

The priests of the shrine are said to be descendants of Ōkuninushi.[10]

It is mentioned in the Engishiki.[11]

Description

Susa-jinja is built in the taisha-zukuri style and, in addition to the honden, hosts a number of smaller shrines. Susa-jinja also claims to have "Seven Wonders"[2] littered across its grounds including a 1300-year-old sacred tree, a cherry tree that casts no shadow, and a saltwater well.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 出雲国神仏霊場 . 2023-04-10 . 出雲地方の由緒ある20の神社・仏閣を巡る . en-US.
  2. Web site: Susa Jinja - InformationDedicated Kami (deities or Japanese gods) . 2023-04-10 . english.susa-jinja.jp.
  3. Web site: History . 2020-03-30 . Susa Shrine Official Website.
  4. Web site: 第十八番 須佐神社 . 2020-03-30 . 出雲國神仏霊場を巡る旅 (Izumo-no-kuni shinbutsu reijo o meguru tabi) . 社寺縁座の会 (Shaji Enza no Kai).
  5. Web site: 須佐(稲田)氏 (Susa (Inada)-shi) . 2020-03-30 . 家紋World – World of KAMON.
  6. Book: 飯石郡誌 (Iishi-gun shi) . 飯石郡役所 (Iishi-gun yakusho) . 1918 . 247 . ja.
  7. Book: 大日本神社志 (Dai-Nippon jinja shi) . 大日本敬神会本部 (Dai-Nippon Keishinkai Honbu) . 1933 . 342.
  8. Web site: Dedicated Kami (deities or Japanese gods) . 2020-03-30 . Suga Shrine Official Website.
  9. Web site: 須佐神社|出雲観光ガイド【出雲観光協会公式ホームページ】 . 2022-06-27 . 出雲観光ガイド【出雲観光協会公式ホームページ】 . ja.
  10. 『日本の神々 神社と聖地 7 山陰』(新装復刊) 2000年 白水社 ISBN 978-4-560-02507-9
  11. Web site: 須佐神社ヤマタノオロチ伝説とゆかりの地出雲神話とゆかりの地縁結びパワースポットと出雲神話島根浪漫旅 . 2022-06-27 . www.izumo-shinwa.com.