Tomioka Hachimangû

November 09, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Shrine

Founded in 1627, Tomioka Hachimangû is the largest Hachimangû shrine in Edo (Tokyo). Like Kanda Jinja and Hikawa Jinja, Tomioka Hachimangû is one of the great shrines which forms a circle around the Tokyo city center; the old Edo Castle center. Tomioka Hachimangû is also known for having one of the 3 great matsuri (festival) in Tokyo as well as its mikoshi (portable golden shrine used in matsuri) and Grand Champion Sumo Wrestler Stone.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 7.

Centered in a really cool area of Koto ward, Tomioka Hachimangû is a beautiful shrine to visit. Mostly I would say go for the restaurants next door, but the shrine is also a really cool place to visit with a great old main hall, well kept grounds, and no tall buildings to block the warm sun.

Ana-Hachimangû

October 28, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Shrine

Ana-Hachimangû started as a training ground for mounted samurai before it was a shrine. Founded as a training ground by Minamoto no Yoshiie, he turned the site into a shrine to the god Hachiman by enshrining his helmet and swords in 1062 following his victory in the 9 Year War of Tohoku. Later, a monk looking to establish a monastery found a cave near the shrine where a copper statue of Amida Buddha was unearthed. Since Amida Buddha was the Buddhist incarnation of Hachiman, the statue of Amida was also enshrined giving the shrine its current name of Ana-Hachimangû. In the Edo period, Ana-Hachimangû was made the prayer offering shrine for the Tokugawa families.

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 7.

Ana-Hachimangû is not exactly a major shrine, though its history suggests otherwise. What really makes it stand out is the location and how the shrine is organized. Across the street is Waseda University, considered one of the top universities in Japan and often called the Stanford of Japan (though I disapprove of this comment because Stanfurd). Here, students come to pray for good luck in all sorts of endeavors from studies to sports. The shrine itself is up a small hill which allows the landscaping to create pleasant terraces with various trees, flowering plants, grass lawns, and ponds. Tori gates of bright orange contrast the black and gold of the main hall.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangû

October 16, 2015 by Brennan Duff in Shrine

The biggest shrine and also the easiest to find in Kamakura, Tsurugaoka Hachimangû has played as an important center to the city. Standing at the north end of the main drag, Tsurugaoka stands high above the trees and the surrounding buildings with tori gates lining the drag to the sea. The shrine was founded in 1063 by Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and then later moved to its present location in 1180 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura period (1180-1333 C.E.). In 1219, Tsurugaoka was the site of the end of Yoritomo's line when his son Sanetomo, was assassinated on the stairs of the shrine by his nephew, Kugyô, who wanted to become the shogun. Four hours later, Kugyô was executed and thus the ruling line ended. The Kamakura government was led from that point on by Yoritomo's wife Hôjô Masako and her family, and because they were not related to Yoritomo by blood, they refused the title of shogun and thereby the Kamakura period is not referred to as a shogunate.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 9.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangû is a beautiful shrine with gardens and ponds filled with all sorts of life. As a warrior shrine, the good-luck charms and iconography are centered around warriors. During matsuri (festivals), warrior demonstrations like mounted archery are performed. Currently a seed of the previous sacred tree at the shrine is growing next to the stairs of the shrine. Be sure to go to the top of the stairs to get a great view of the ocean, the city, and Mt. Fuji if the weather permits.