Watatsu Shrine
| Watatsu Shrine (度津神社, Watatsu-jinja) | |
|---|---|
 Torii at Watatsu Shrine | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Location | |
  Shown within Japan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 37°51′36.9″N 138°19′50.3″E / 37.860250°N 138.330639°E |
 Glossary of Shinto | |
Watatsu Shrine (度津神社, Watatsu-jinja) is a Japanese Shinto shrine in Sado, Niigata, an island in the Sea of Japan.[1]
History
The shrine was established before the 10th century.[2] The enshrined kami is Isonotakeru no mikoto (五十猛命),[3] who is said to have taught people shipbuilding and how to use ships.[4]
Each year in late-April, horseback archery (yabusame) takes place at the branch shrine in the town of Hamochi.[5]
Watatsu was the chief Shinto shrine (ichinomiya) of the old Sado Province on Sado Island. It serves today as one of the ichinomiya of Niigata Prefecture. [6]
In the system of ranked Shinto shrines, Watatsu was listed among the third class of nationally significant shrines or Kokuhei Shōsha (国幣小社).[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ VisitSado.com, Watatsu Shrine; retrieved 2012-11-6.
- ^ Sado Travel Guide, "Hamochi"; 佐渡市 観光課 観光振興係 (Sado Tourism Promotion), 佐渡一ノ宮度津神社 (Sado Ichinomiya Shrine); excerpt, 度津神社の由緒は「延喜式」神名帳（927年）に記載されている神社を式内社と言い、当時佐渡の国には九社あり; retrieved 2012-11-6.
- ^ Pickens, Stuart D. B. (2004). Sourcebook in Shinto: Selected Documents, p. 372.
- ^ Kotodamaya.com, "Watatsu Jinja"; retrieved 2012-11-6.
- ^ "Yabusame shinji," Encyclopedia of Shinto; retrieved 2012-11-6.
- ^ "Nationwide List of Ichinomiya," p. 2; retrieved 2012-3-13.
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