Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya

 

                Atsuta Shrine 熱田神宮 was first established in 113 to house the sacred sword called Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, one of the three symbols of the imperial regalia. In its 1900 year history, it has had many important patrons such as Oda Nobunaga and the Tokugawa shoguns. The main deity is Atsuta-no-ookami, but there are five lesser gods also enshrined there. It is considered the second most important shrine in Japan after Ise.

Atsuta Shrine modern building (photo: yvon.liu/flickr)

                Virtually all of the buildings were destroyed in World War II, but rebuilding began in 1955 and ended in 2009. There is now a beautiful forested area with the main shrine and many smaller structures, including tea houses and training halls. It is a major cultural center in Nagoya, with over 9 million visitors annually.

Atsuta Shrine Bridge (photo: Christian Kaden/flickr)

The Atsuta Jingu Museum houses about 4,000 items donated by people ranging in class from the Imperial Family, shoguns and feudal lords to common persons. Among these materials, especially important are the koshinpoh (sacred garments, furniture and utensils for use of the enshrined deities), the swords, the hang mirrors, the Bugaku (ancient court dance) masks, the ancient documents and the household articles, 174 items of which have been designated or Aichi Prefecture important cultural assets.

Kusanagi Vault, Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya (photo: JeffRz/flickr)

The collection of swords is particularly notable because talented craftsmen from all over Japan have given their work as offerings over the centuries in tribute to Kusanagi-no-tsurugi.

Atsuta Shrine Cleansing Water (photo: “KIUKO”/flickr)

 There are many festivals and activities held on the Atsuta Shrine grounds, which are free to enter:

January 1st 5:00- Saitan Sai 3rd 7:00- Genshi Sai 5th 0:00- Hatsu-Ebisu 7th 14:00- Yodameshi Shinji 11th 10:00- Touka Shinji 12th 12:00- Fusui-Yodameshi Shinji 15th 13:00- Hosha Shinji February 11th 10:00- Kigen Sai March 17th 10:00- Kinen Sai 17th 14:00- Mita Jinja Kinen Sai May 1st 10:30- Bugaku Shinji 4th 19:00- Eyoudo Shinji 5th 10:00- Shinyo-Togyo Shinji 8th 8:00- Hounen Sai 13th 11:00- Onzo Sai June 5th 9:00- Rei Sai(The Main Festival) 5th 15:00- Minami-Shingusya Sai 18th 10:00- Mita Jinja Otaue Sai 30th 15:00- Ooharae October 17th 10:00- Niiname Sai 17th 14:00- Mita Jinja Niiname Sai 20th 10:00- Atsuta Ebisu Kousha Taisai November 1st 11:00- Atsuta Kousha Shuki Taisai 3rd 7:00- Meiji Sai 3rd 10:00- Housan Kai Taisai December 20th 9:30- Nogyo Kansha Sai 23rd 10:00- Tencho Sai 25th 10:00- Osusu-Osame Shinji 31st 15:00- Ooharae 31st 16:00- Jhoya Sai

The closest publice transportation is the Jingumae Station on the Meitetsu Railway, which is about a 3-minute walk from the main entrance.

For more information: http://www.atsutajingu.or.jp/en/intro/

Atsuta Jingu Matsuri (photo: Duncan WJ Palmer/flickr)