Hie-jinja, Izu, 静岡県伊豆市の神社
Hie-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Izu featuring simple buildings set among tall cedar trees that have stood for centuries. The grounds include two specially sacred trees with intertwined roots and a hollowed stone basin used for ritual hand-washing before prayer.
The shrine was founded in 807 by Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi, at the same time he built the nearby Shuzen-ji Temple. This influential monk established it as part of a larger network of hundreds of connected shrines across Japan.
The shrine centers on the Kodakara-no-Sugi cedars, two ancient intertwined trees believed to bless families and children who pass between them. Visitors leave offerings and prayers at this spot, following a tradition rooted in local spirituality and multigenerational belief.
The shrine is easily reached from nearby Shuzen-ji Temple, with stairs leading past the ancient cedars to the main hall. Wear comfortable clothes suitable for walking on unpaved paths, and be prepared for a quiet, contemplative visit where respectful behavior is expected.
The two Kodakara-no-Sugi cedars have roots that intertwine underground, giving them symbolic meaning as a connected pair. This natural feature, combined with local beliefs about children's blessings, makes them one of the shrine's most distinctive elements.
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