Kumano shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Kumano Shrine in Tateishi is a modest Shinto sanctuary in Katsushika with simple wooden structures and traditional stone lanterns scattered throughout the grounds. The layout follows a pentagram pattern and features a pair of komainu statues at the entrance, alongside ancient camphor trees that surround the site.
The shrine was founded in the early 11th century, making it over a thousand years old and deeply rooted in the community's history. Its connections to the sacred Kumano Mountain region and its spiritual traditions have shaped its significance through the centuries.
The shrine is closely connected to Abe no Seimei, a renowned spiritual adviser from the 10th century whose teachings are honored here. Monthly moon prayers during new and full moon nights remain an active tradition that visitors can experience today.
The shrine is easily accessible by train to Aoto Station on the Keisei Main or Oshiage Line, followed by a 10-minute walk south. The location sits in a quiet area with walking paths that invite exploration and remain straightforward to navigate on foot.
The shrine is laid out in a pentagram pattern, hinting at its connection to onmyodo practices, an ancient system for divining and understanding the world through Chinese philosophy. This unusual geometric design makes it a rare example of Japan's esoteric spiritual traditions.
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