Kattamine-jinja, kuil Shinto di Jepang
Kattamine-jinja is a small shrine built in the nagare-zukuri style, situated on a mountain in Zao, Miyagi Prefecture. The structure features a gently sloped roof that extends beyond the front walls, with weathered wood and faded paint showing its age and history.
The shrine was founded in 1718 during the late Edo period and was associated with the Katakura clan, which served under the Date family's control. Since its establishment, the structure has been rebuilt every 21 years, a tradition inspired by the Ise Grand Shrine that continues to this day.
The shrine is dedicated to Zao Kengen, a protective spirit whom visitors approach seeking blessings for safety from water disasters, good weather, and fertility. The annual festival on May 5th draws many people who perform traditional prayers and leave offerings at the altar.
Visitors reach the site by taking a free shuttle bus from the train station to the parking area at the mountain base, followed by a ski lift to the summit. The trail to the shrine is marked with stones but becomes slippery in wet weather, so wear sturdy shoes and bring rain protection.
A stone monument called the 'Swan Old Stone Monument' stands at the shrine and is recognized as a cultural property of Zao town, bearing carvings that tell stories about swan worship traditions. Visitors often find wooden votive tablets with prayers dedicated to swans, revered as symbols of purity and loyalty.
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