Okitsushima Shinto Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Okitsushima Shinto Shrine is a place of worship in Ōmihachiman built in the nagare-zukuri architectural style, where the roof extends forward over the entrance. The grounds feature natural surroundings with bamboo and grass, offering visitors a quiet space for prayer and reflection.
The shrine was founded in 712 and has been part of local life for over 1,300 years. It was once a recognized sanctuary listed in the court records called Engishiki and initially held the status of a prefectural shrine.
The shrine is dedicated to the female deity Okitsushimanohime no Mikoto, whom visitors ask for protection and blessings over the local area. Each year on May 8, the Reisai festival brings the community together with decorations of bamboo and gentian flowers that reflect the cultural identity of the place.
The shrine has no major decorations but instead offers an open, peaceful space for visitors to pray and reflect. It is customary to ring a small bell, clap your hands, and write wishes on paper to tie on a special rack within the grounds.
A lesser-known connection to the goddess Benzaiten appears in a 1734 book linking the deity of music, arts, and water to this shrine. This association reveals how local traditions wove together different divine figures across centuries.
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