王勢籠神社, Shinto shrine in Japan
Oserou Shrine in Uenohara is a Shinto sanctuary dedicated to the warrior hero Yamato Takeru, situated on hilly terrain surrounded by old trees. The main building features a traditional sloped roof and bright wooden posts, while pathways are lined with stone lanterns and the grounds contain several secondary altars.
The shrine was founded centuries ago to honor a legendary warrior hero and gods, with Edo-period records confirming its existence at that time. During this era, wolf worship spread widely, and smaller shrines were established in surrounding villages stemming from this main sanctuary.
The shrine honors a belief in wolves as divine messengers, a faith that spread during the Edo period. The 75 wolf statues of various sizes scattered across the grounds show how this belief remains visible today and continues to draw people seeking protection and wellness for their families.
The shrine is easily reached by train from the nearby Shikata station or by bus, and the grounds offer quiet, gentle walking paths through nature. The area is rural and peaceful, allowing visitors to move slowly and experience minimal noise or traffic.
Wooden plaques and roof tiles with carved wolf and tengu figures from earlier times are still preserved here, documenting historical beliefs. These ancient artifacts reveal how people expressed their spiritual convictions at this site across generations.
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