Omonoimi-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Omonoimi-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Sakata built in the nagare-zukuri style with a flowing roof line. The complex is arranged in three sections up the mountainside, with smaller shrines at the base and the main shrine at the summit.
The shrine was founded during the time of emperors Keikō or Kinmei and has been documented since 862 in official records. Through destruction and rebuilding over centuries, it has been continuously renewed while remaining spiritually active.
The shrine worships Mount Chokai as a sacred divine body, a rare practice that shows the deep bond between nature and religion in the region. This veneration of the mountain itself as a deity continues to shape spiritual life in the area today.
The shrine is divided into three sections, with the lower shrines easier to reach than the main shrine at the summit. The site requires suitable clothing for changing weather conditions, and unmarked trails should only be explored with local guidance.
The main shrine at the summit is completely rebuilt every two decades, demonstrating the community's ongoing commitment to preserving this spiritual site. This renewal practice maintains the traditional appearance across generations.
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