Tokushige Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Tokushige Shrine is a Shinto place of worship in Ijūin-chō Tokushige built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, characterized by a gently sloping roof that extends far out over the entrance. The grounds are surrounded by trees including ginkgo and maple, and feature areas for archery and sumo wrestling that show local traditions are still practiced today.
The shrine was established in 1873 on the land where the Buddhist temple Myōen-ji once stood, after the temple closed in 1869. This happened during the Meiji Era when Japan separated Shinto and Buddhism, leading to many temples being shut down.
The shrine carries the name of the Tokushige family and is maintained by the local community who express their faith through daily offerings and small statues left at the site. Visitors come on special occasions to pray for health, safety, and success, showing how local traditions remain active in everyday life.
The shrine is easy to reach on foot through narrow streets in a quiet residential area, with small shops and conveniences nearby. The best time to visit is the fourth Sunday of October during the Myōen-ji Mairi Festival, when the community gathers and traditional drum performances take place.
The shrine holds a wooden statue of Shimazu Yoshihiro, known as Seimatsu Izu Takewo no Mikoto, which is treated with great respect by visitors. The ancient drums played during the festival tell stories of bravery and victory through their sounds, connecting visitors to the region's past.
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