Arakashi-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Arakashi-jinja stands on the slope of Mount Takafuji northeast of Motegi and is reached by a path through old cedar, zelkova and oak trees. Its worship hall was rebuilt between 1934 and 1936 and again in 1721 with support from the Hosokawa family. A zelkova estimated at 700 years old is designated a Tochigi Prefecture Natural Monument.
According to shrine tradition, Arakashi-jinja was founded in 806 (Daidō 1) on Takatō Fujiyama, northeast of Kikyō Castle (Motegi Castle), to guard the castle's demon gate. It is identified with the Engishiki-listed Arakashi Shrine of Haga District, Shimotsuke Province, though some scholars argue that shrine was merged into Ōmae Shrine. The honden was rebuilt in 1721 with support from the Hosokawa clan, again in 1934–36, and the shrine was ranked a prefectural shrine in 1938.
The shrine is identified with the Arakashi Shrine listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, though some scholars argue that shrine was merged into the Omae Shrine. It enshrines Kuninotokotachi, Kunisatsuchi and Toyokumunu. Annual rites include the Setsubun festival on 3 February, the spring grand festival on 17 April, the wind god festival on 25 August and the autumn grand festival on 26 November.
Arakashi-jinja stands on Takafuji-yama northeast of the former Kikyo (Motegi) castle site, about 30 minutes on foot from Motegi Station on the Moka Railway. The shrine grounds overlook the town of Motegi. The approach passes among old cedars, keyaki and oaks, including a keyaki estimated at 700 years old and designated a Tochigi Prefecture natural monument in 1990.
The shrine grounds hold a keyaki tree estimated at 700 years old, designated a Natural Monument of Tochigi Prefecture on 26 January 1990. In 2018 the grounds served as a filming location for au's "Santaro" television commercial series, in the "Hangaku-ya" episode.
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