和気神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Waki Jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kirishima city built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, featuring simple wooden structures and white walls. The main hall is guarded by two large stone boar statues, while tall cedar trees and lush vegetation surround the quiet grounds.
The shrine is dedicated to Waki Kiyomaro, a significant figure from Japan's Nara period whose life and achievements shaped this sacred site. Over time, it became a place of worship and remembrance, preserving the memory of historical events connected to this notable person.
The shrine honors Waki Kiyomaro, a notable figure from Japan's past whose memory remains central to local worship. Visitors participate in traditional practices like making offerings and prayers that connect them to the region's heritage and respect for history.
The shrine is open year-round and easily accessible by car, with about 210 parking spaces available. The paths are well-maintained and allow for leisurely walks, especially in spring when wisteria blooms in the adjacent Waki Park.
The shrine is known for an unusually large wooden votive tablet (ema) measuring about 26 by 39 feet (8 by 12 meters), among Japan's largest. Even more distinctive are the stone boar statues guarding the entrance instead of the typical lion statues, preserving a local legend about wild boars that assisted Waki Kiyomaro during his travels.
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