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{{Infobox Shinto shrine |
{{Infobox Shinto shrine |
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| name = |
| name = Chiba Shrine<br />千葉神社 |
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| image = |
| image = Chibajinja-shaden.jpg |
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| width = |
| width = |
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| caption = '' |
| caption = ''Shaden'' of Chiba Shrine |
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| type = |
| type = Prefectural shrine |
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| dedication = |
| dedication = |
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| founded = |
| founded = 12th century |
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| closed = |
| closed = |
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| founder = |
| founder = [[Chiba clan]] |
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| priest = |
| priest = |
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| address = 1-1, |
| address = 1-16-1 Innai, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan |
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| phone = +81 |
| phone = +81 043-224-2211 |
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| website = http://www. |
| website = http://www.chibajinja.com/ |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Chiba Shrine''' (千葉神社 ''Chiba jinja'') is the major [[Shinto shrine]] of the city of [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]], [[Chiba Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. The shrine was established by the [[Chiba clan]] in the 11th century, and is dedicated to [[Myoken]], the titular deity of the clan. Chiba Shrine is located near the administrative, commercial center, and most populous area of Chiba Prefecture. |
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==Description== |
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Chiba Shrine is located in the [[Chūō-ku, Chiba|Chūō-ku]] ward of the city of Chiba, near the seats of the city and Chiba Prefecture. The ward is also the commercial center of the prefecture as well as the most populous ward of the city. Local festivals and rites have been carried out continuously at Chiba Shrine since 1127,<ref name="ccb">[http://www.ccb.or.jp/e/_sightseeing/2309 Chiba Shrine]</ref> a date that corresponds to the Chiba clan's consolidation of power in the [[Kantō Region]]. The setsubun festival is the largest festival at the shrine. Chiba Clan was formerly the prefectural clan of the prefecture,<ref name="kokushi">{{cite encyclopedia | encyclopedia = Kokushi Daijiten (国史大辞典 “Dictionary of Japanese History”)| title = Chiba-jinja | url = http://rekishi.jkn21.com/ | accessdate = 2012-01-12 | year = 2012 | publisher = Shogakukan | location = Tokyo}}{{ja icon}}</ref> and was home to the first administrative headquarters of the prefectural government. |
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==History== |
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The official date of construction for Suwa Shrine is 1614, the same year as [[Tokugawa Ieyasu|Tokygawa Ieyasu's]] Edict against [[Christianity]], although there was little more than a small structure to mark the position of the future shrine at this time. At that time, Nagasaki was home to the largest Christian population in Japan, and had destroyed many of the former [[Shinto]] shrines and [[Buddhist]] [[temple]]s. The [[Tokugawa Shogunate]] had taken power and reversed its [[Kirishitan#Japan.27s_policy_toward_Catholicism|friendly policy towards Christianity]]. The government had begun forcing Christians to reconvert to the Japanese religions of [[Shinbutsu shūgō|Buddhism and Shinto]]. It was thought that establishing a major point of Shinto worship would be important to these efforts, giving the local population a central point of worship and a sense of community.<ref name="Nelson">Nelson, John K., ''A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine, USA, University of Washington Press, 1996, ISBN 0-295-97500-8</ref> |
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The temporary structure was frequently attacked by resisting Christians, until 1624 when Aoki Kensei came to Nagasaki. His religious zeal and skill at organizing, combined with authority granted by the leading Yoshida Shinto council, led to the completion of the main structure of Suwa Shrine.<ref name="Nelson"/> In order to attract attention and encourage attendance at the new shrine, a dramatic ''yutate-sai'' ritual, where a priest demonstrates his communion with the kami by plunging his hands into boiling water unharmed, was performed. In spite of this, as well as the [[Sumo|sumo match]] that followed, very few people came to watch.<ref name="Nelson"/> |
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In 1634, an edict was issued requiring all people to register at the shrine and be counted. In addition to this, in another attempt to further increase local participation in shrine events, a great [[Japanese festivals|autumn festival]] was held at the shrine. Both of these events were created in the attempt to discover any remaining Christians, who would not be able to participate in the festival or register at the shrine. Anyone who failed to do so was arrested, tortured and possibly executed if they did not renounce their Christian faith.<ref name="Nelson"/> |
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Because Nagasaki was the only place in Japan with an [[Dejima|open port]], it was considered essential to impress the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] and [[China|Chinese]] traders with Japanese culture. In addition to the grand festival, beginning in 1638 major performances of [[Noh]] were also held at Suwa shrine, at the direct command of the Shogun. These performances continued until 1856, when a major fire at the shrine destroyed most of the expensive Noh masks and props. |
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===Meiji period=== |
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At the beginning of the Meiji period |
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明治の神仏分離により妙見寺を廃し、現社号・祭神に改めた。例祭八月十六日より二十二日、千葉妙見はだか祭として有名。 |
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From 1871 through 1946, Chiba Shrine was officially designated one of the {{nihongo|''Kokuhei Chūsha''|国幣中社}}, meaning that it stood in the mid-range of [[Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines|ranked, nationally significant shrines]]. |
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Suwa Shrine survived the [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing of Nagasaki]] on August 9, 1945. It is thought to have survived intact due to its strategic location in the central part of Mount Tamazono-san's southern flank, although in the aftermath of the bomb local residents were quick to note that while the famous [[Urakami Cathedral]] and surrounding Catholic neighborhoods were obliterated, the Shinto shrine still stood. |
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This was considered to be significant by the survivors of the bombing, showing the power of the native Japanese kami as opposed to the imported [[God the Father|Christian god]]. In addition, priests from Suwa Shrine took an active role in the rebuilding of Nagasaki, including consecrating the land and purifying structures that still stood.<ref name="Nelson"/> |
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In 1984, a large-scale reconstruction repaired and modernized the shrine, installing such conveniences as [[air conditioner]]s and glass windows. This reconstruction was controversial, as some felt that modern conveniences had no place at a traditional shrine. |
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==Enshrined ''kami''== |
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A beautiful Shinto shrine near Chiba Castle that is dedicated to the Chiba Clan’s tutelary deity, Myoken, a deification of the North Star and the constellation Ursa Major often associated with Ame-no-minakanushi-no-mikoto.<ref name="ccb"/>[http://www.ccb.or.jp/e/_sightseeing/2309 Chiba Shrine]</ref> |
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The primary ''[[kami]]'' of the Chiba Shrine is the {{nihongo|Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto|天太玉命}}. |
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Secondary enshrined ''kami'' include: |
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* {{nihongo|Ame-no-hiritome-no-mikoto|天乃比理刀咩命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Kushiakarutama-no-mikoto|櫛明玉命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Ame-nohiwashi-no-mikoto|天日鷲命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Taokihooi-no-mikoto|手置帆負命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Hikosashiri-no-mikoto|彦狭知命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Ame-no-mahitotsu-no-mikoto|天目一箇命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Ame-no-tomi-no-mikoto|天富命}} |
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*{{nihongo|Ame-no-oshihi-no-mikoto|天忍日命}} |
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There are also numerous small subsidiary shrines to various ''kami'' within the shrine grounds. |
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==Festivals== |
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[[Image:Nagasaki-Suwa-Shrine-1552.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Koma-inu]]'' at the shrine]] |
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Like most [[Shinto shrine]]s, every year thousands of people visit Suwa Shrine to pray for peace and prosperity. The Shrine is also the main destination in Nagasaki for events such as [[Shichi-Go-San]] and [[Seijin shiki|the coming-of-age festival]]. |
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Suwa Shrine is also the host to many annual festivals. These festivals serve the joint purpose of honoring the kami, providing a sense of community for shrine worshipers, and providing exposure and income for the shrine itself. Some of these festivals are typical to all major Shinto shrines in Japan, but some are unique to Suwa shrine. |
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* '''Atomic bomb commemorative service''' - This festival is probably unique in all of Japan, in that it combines elements of Christian, Buddhist and Shinto worship to pray for the more than 70,000 people killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. It takes place every year on August 9. |
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* '''Doll's Festival''' - Like all of Japan, Suwa Shrine observes the [[Hina Matsuri|Doll's Festival]] on March 3. However, since the 1980s the festival has been observed in an unusual way, in that attractive, 20-year old women are selected to wear the shrine's collection of antique [[kimono]] and pose in a live Doll's Day procession. The competition amongst the young women is fierce, and there are far more applicants than positions in the festival. The two most beautiful women are chosen for the key roles of the Emperor and Empress in the procession. This tradition was created largely as a [[media event]] to promote and advertise Suwa shrine, and every year television crews are invited to broadcast the festival.<ref name="Nelson"/> |
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[[Image:Festival of Suwa Shrine.jpg|thumb|right|Festival of Suwa Shrine, Nagasaki, Meiji Period]] |
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* '''[[Nagasaki Kunchi|Kunchi]]''' - The most famous of Suwa Shrine's festivals, this festival began along with the founding of the shrine as a way to both demonstrate its new importance in the community and as a way to hunt for [[Kakure Kirishitan|Hidden Christians]]. Kunchi is held from October 7 to 9 every year and is considered one of the major festivals of [[Japan]], along with the [[Gion Matsuri]] and Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.<ref name="Nelson"/> |
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* '''Yutate-sai''' - A theatrical ritual, originally performed by [[yamabushi]], a priest demonstrates his communion with the kami by plunging his hands into boiling water unharmed. This ritual was performed on the opening of Suwa shrine, and is continued to be performed to this day. It is very rare at other Shinto shrines. |
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==English language fortunes== |
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Most Shinto shrines sell [[Omikuji]], a type of fortune telling that comes on a slip of paper that lists your particular luck at that time. Suwa shrine was the first shrine in Japan to offer Omikuji in English. |
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The fortunes are divided into |
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* Best luck |
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* Average luck |
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* Good luck |
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* Half luck |
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* Partly bad luck |
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* Worst luck |
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* Bad luck but turns good |
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* Luck in the end |
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==Transportation== |
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ACCESS |
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~12 mins walk from Chiba Station. (Walk straight out of Chiba Station east exit along the main road as if going towards the Mitsui Garden Hotel or the Parco department store. When you arrive at the small park in front of the hotel, do not follow the main road as it curves, but instead bear slightly left, put the park and hotel on your right-hand side, and walk another few minutes down that road. The shrine will be on your left.)<ref name="ccb"/> |
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==Nearby attractions== |
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*[[Chiba Castle]] |
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*[[Chiba-dera]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.ccb.or.jp/e/_sightseeing/2309 Chiba Convention Bureau and International Center--Chiba Shrine] |
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{{commons category|Suwa-jinja, Nagasaki}} |
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{{coord|32|45|16|N|129|52|54|E|region:JP-42_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=title}} |
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{{Shinto shrine}} |
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[[Category:Shinto shrines in Chiba Prefecture]] |
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in Chiba Prefecture]] |
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[[ja:千葉神社]] |
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Revision as of 18:49, 5 March 2012
| Chiba Shrine 千葉神社 | |
|---|---|
 Shaden of Chiba Shrine | |
| Website | |
| http://www.chibajinja.com/ |
Chiba Shrine (千葉神社 Chiba jinja) is the major Shinto shrine of the city of Chiba, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The shrine was established by the Chiba clan in the 11th century, and is dedicated to Myoken, the titular deity of the clan. Chiba Shrine is located near the administrative, commercial center, and most populous area of Chiba Prefecture.
Description
Chiba Shrine is located in the Chūō-ku ward of the city of Chiba, near the seats of the city and Chiba Prefecture. The ward is also the commercial center of the prefecture as well as the most populous ward of the city. Local festivals and rites have been carried out continuously at Chiba Shrine since 1127,[1] a date that corresponds to the Chiba clan's consolidation of power in the Kantō Region. The setsubun festival is the largest festival at the shrine. Chiba Clan was formerly the prefectural clan of the prefecture,[2] and was home to the first administrative headquarters of the prefectural government.
History
The official date of construction for Suwa Shrine is 1614, the same year as Tokygawa Ieyasu's Edict against Christianity, although there was little more than a small structure to mark the position of the future shrine at this time. At that time, Nagasaki was home to the largest Christian population in Japan, and had destroyed many of the former Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The Tokugawa Shogunate had taken power and reversed its friendly policy towards Christianity. The government had begun forcing Christians to reconvert to the Japanese religions of Buddhism and Shinto. It was thought that establishing a major point of Shinto worship would be important to these efforts, giving the local population a central point of worship and a sense of community.[3]
The temporary structure was frequently attacked by resisting Christians, until 1624 when Aoki Kensei came to Nagasaki. His religious zeal and skill at organizing, combined with authority granted by the leading Yoshida Shinto council, led to the completion of the main structure of Suwa Shrine.[3] In order to attract attention and encourage attendance at the new shrine, a dramatic yutate-sai ritual, where a priest demonstrates his communion with the kami by plunging his hands into boiling water unharmed, was performed. In spite of this, as well as the sumo match that followed, very few people came to watch.[3]
In 1634, an edict was issued requiring all people to register at the shrine and be counted. In addition to this, in another attempt to further increase local participation in shrine events, a great autumn festival was held at the shrine. Both of these events were created in the attempt to discover any remaining Christians, who would not be able to participate in the festival or register at the shrine. Anyone who failed to do so was arrested, tortured and possibly executed if they did not renounce their Christian faith.[3]
Because Nagasaki was the only place in Japan with an open port, it was considered essential to impress the Dutch and Chinese traders with Japanese culture. In addition to the grand festival, beginning in 1638 major performances of Noh were also held at Suwa shrine, at the direct command of the Shogun. These performances continued until 1856, when a major fire at the shrine destroyed most of the expensive Noh masks and props.
Meiji period
At the beginning of the Meiji period
明治の神仏分離により妙見寺を廃し、現社号・祭神に改めた。例祭八月十六日より二十二日、千葉妙見はだか祭として有名。
From 1871 through 1946, Chiba Shrine was officially designated one of the Kokuhei Chūsha (国幣中社), meaning that it stood in the mid-range of ranked, nationally significant shrines.
Suwa Shrine survived the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. It is thought to have survived intact due to its strategic location in the central part of Mount Tamazono-san's southern flank, although in the aftermath of the bomb local residents were quick to note that while the famous Urakami Cathedral and surrounding Catholic neighborhoods were obliterated, the Shinto shrine still stood.
This was considered to be significant by the survivors of the bombing, showing the power of the native Japanese kami as opposed to the imported Christian god. In addition, priests from Suwa Shrine took an active role in the rebuilding of Nagasaki, including consecrating the land and purifying structures that still stood.[3]
In 1984, a large-scale reconstruction repaired and modernized the shrine, installing such conveniences as air conditioners and glass windows. This reconstruction was controversial, as some felt that modern conveniences had no place at a traditional shrine.
Enshrined kami
A beautiful Shinto shrine near Chiba Castle that is dedicated to the Chiba Clan’s tutelary deity, Myoken, a deification of the North Star and the constellation Ursa Major often associated with Ame-no-minakanushi-no-mikoto.[1]Chiba Shrine</ref>
The primary kami of the Chiba Shrine is the Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto (天太玉命).
Secondary enshrined kami include:
- Ame-no-hiritome-no-mikoto (天乃比理刀咩命)
- Kushiakarutama-no-mikoto (櫛明玉命)
- Ame-nohiwashi-no-mikoto (天日鷲命)
- Taokihooi-no-mikoto (手置帆負命)
- Hikosashiri-no-mikoto (彦狭知命)
- Ame-no-mahitotsu-no-mikoto (天目一箇命)
- Ame-no-tomi-no-mikoto (天富命)
- Ame-no-oshihi-no-mikoto (天忍日命)
There are also numerous small subsidiary shrines to various kami within the shrine grounds.
Festivals
Like most Shinto shrines, every year thousands of people visit Suwa Shrine to pray for peace and prosperity. The Shrine is also the main destination in Nagasaki for events such as Shichi-Go-San and the coming-of-age festival.
Suwa Shrine is also the host to many annual festivals. These festivals serve the joint purpose of honoring the kami, providing a sense of community for shrine worshipers, and providing exposure and income for the shrine itself. Some of these festivals are typical to all major Shinto shrines in Japan, but some are unique to Suwa shrine.
- Atomic bomb commemorative service - This festival is probably unique in all of Japan, in that it combines elements of Christian, Buddhist and Shinto worship to pray for the more than 70,000 people killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. It takes place every year on August 9.
- Doll's Festival - Like all of Japan, Suwa Shrine observes the Doll's Festival on March 3. However, since the 1980s the festival has been observed in an unusual way, in that attractive, 20-year old women are selected to wear the shrine's collection of antique kimono and pose in a live Doll's Day procession. The competition amongst the young women is fierce, and there are far more applicants than positions in the festival. The two most beautiful women are chosen for the key roles of the Emperor and Empress in the procession. This tradition was created largely as a media event to promote and advertise Suwa shrine, and every year television crews are invited to broadcast the festival.[3]
- Kunchi - The most famous of Suwa Shrine's festivals, this festival began along with the founding of the shrine as a way to both demonstrate its new importance in the community and as a way to hunt for Hidden Christians. Kunchi is held from October 7 to 9 every year and is considered one of the major festivals of Japan, along with the Gion Matsuri and Osaka's Tenjin Matsuri. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.[3]
- Yutate-sai - A theatrical ritual, originally performed by yamabushi, a priest demonstrates his communion with the kami by plunging his hands into boiling water unharmed. This ritual was performed on the opening of Suwa shrine, and is continued to be performed to this day. It is very rare at other Shinto shrines.
English language fortunes
Most Shinto shrines sell Omikuji, a type of fortune telling that comes on a slip of paper that lists your particular luck at that time. Suwa shrine was the first shrine in Japan to offer Omikuji in English.
The fortunes are divided into
- Best luck
- Average luck
- Good luck
- Half luck
- Partly bad luck
- Worst luck
- Bad luck but turns good
- Luck in the end
Transportation
ACCESS ~12 mins walk from Chiba Station. (Walk straight out of Chiba Station east exit along the main road as if going towards the Mitsui Garden Hotel or the Parco department store. When you arrive at the small park in front of the hotel, do not follow the main road as it curves, but instead bear slightly left, put the park and hotel on your right-hand side, and walk another few minutes down that road. The shrine will be on your left.)[1]
Nearby attractions
References
- ^ a b c Chiba Shrine
- ^ "Chiba-jinja". Kokushi Daijiten (国史大辞典 “Dictionary of Japanese History”). Tokyo: Shogakukan. 2012. Retrieved 2012-01-12.Template:Ja icon
- ^ a b c d e f g Nelson, John K., A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine, USA, University of Washington Press, 1996, ISBN 0-295-97500-8
External links
