白髭神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Shirahige Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the Idei district of Oyama, Tochigi Prefecture. Its grounds hold a spring called Shirahige Shrine's spring, chosen for Oyama's "Oyama Hyakkei" list, and a subsidiary Sengen Shrine. The place name Idei is said to come from this sacred spring.
The shrine's founding date is not recorded. Its legend tells of a white-haired, white-bearded old man, three shaku long in beard, carving a mortar in front of the shrine when a princess, identified as Konohanasakuya-hime, fled to him; he hid her inside the overturned mortar. The place name Idei is said to derive from the sacred spring on the grounds.
The shrine's annual festival is held on 20 January, with a spring prayer ceremony on 26 February and an autumn harvest rite on 26 November. The grounds also contain a subordinate Sengen shrine dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the deity linked to the legend of the princess hidden in a mortar.
The shrine is accessible year-round and offers a peaceful place to explore. Visitors can approach the site without formal fees and should maintain respectful behavior during their visit.
The spring on the grounds is listed among Oyama's "Oyama Hyakkei" scenic selections, and the neighbourhood name Idei is said to come from this sacred water. The shrine's legend tells of a white-haired, white-bearded old man carving a mortar who hid a pursued princess inside it; she is identified as Konohanasakuya-hime, honoured at the grounds' Asama Shrine.
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