| Atsuta Shrine 熱田神宮 | |
|---|---|
 Thehaiden, or prayer hall, 2019 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Deity | Atsuta no Ōkami Amaterasu Susanoo Yamatotakeru Miyazu-hime Takeinadane [ja] |
| Festival | Atsuta-sai; June 5th |
| Type | Chokusaisha Beppyo jinja,Shikinaisya Owari no Kuni sannomiya (Formerkanpeitaisha) |
| Location | |
| Location | 1-1-1, Jingu,Atsuta-ku Nagoya,Aichi 456-8585 |
  Shown within Japan | |
| Geographic coordinates | 35°07′39″N136°54′30″E / 35.12750°N 136.90833°E /35.12750; 136.90833 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Shinmei-zukuri |
| Website | |
| www | |
 Glossary of Shinto | |
Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮,Atsuta-jingū) is aShinto shrine, home to the sacred swordKusanagi no Tsurugi, one of the threeImperial Regalia of Japan—traditionally believed to have been established during the reign ofEmperor Keikō (reigned 71–130 CE). It is located inAtsuta-ku,Nagoya,Aichi Prefecture inJapan.[1] The shrine is familiarly known asAtsuta-Sama (Venerable Atsuta) or simply asMiya (the Shrine). Since ancient times, it has been especially revered, ranking with theIse Shrine.[2]
The 200,000-square-metre (2,200,000 sq ft) shrine complex draws over 9 million visitors annually.[2]
TheKojiki explains that Atsuta Shrine was founded to house theKusanagi no Tsurugi, a legendary sword.
According to traditional sources,Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇43年, equivalent 113 AD).[3] The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Sometime later, these relics and the sacred sword were moved to the current location of the Atsuta Shrine.[4]Nihonshoki explains that this move occurred in the 51st year of Keiko's reign, but shrine tradition also dates this event in the 1st year of Emperor Chūai's reign.[5]
TheOwari clan had established the Atsuta Shrine in 192, and held the position of the shrine's high priest since ancient times, passing it down from generation to generation. However, in 1114, Kazumoto handed the position over toFujiwara no Suenori, who was from theFujiwara clan.[6] Since then, the Fujiwara clan became the head of Atsuta Shrine, while the Owari clan stepped down to the position of adjutant chief priest (gongūji).[7]
During theNorthern and Southern Courts Period, because it was believed that theKusanagi no Tsurugi was or had once been housed there, the Atsuta Shrine proved to be a significant site in the struggle between oustedEmperor Go-Daigo (Southern Court) and the new emperor,Takauji Ashikaga (Northern Court). Go-Daigo was a patron to Atsuta Masayoshi, the shrine's attendant, who subsequently fled with him toMt. Hiei in 1336 and went on to command troops on Go-Daigo's behalf in 1337. In 1335, after rebelling against Go-Daigo, Takauji appointed a new shrine attendant. He later prayed there while advancing on the capital, mimicking the behavior ofMinamoto no Yoritomo, who had done the same before founding theKamakura shogunate.[8]
In 1338, the Southern Court had one more chance to occupy the shrine whenKitabatake Akiie led a large army down from the Southern Court's base onMount Ryōzen.[8][9] In the first month of 1338, Akiie also prayed at the shrine. However, he was killed in battle soon after and the Ashikaga cemented their control over Atsuta Shrine.[8]
From 1872 through 1946, Atsuta Shrine was officially designated one of theKanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.[10]
The shrine area was originally much larger. To the northeast were vast ricefields that belonged to the shrine, they were later built over in what became Sanbonmatsu-chō (三本松町) and Mutsuno (六野) neighbourhoods, the Jingū Higashi Park (神宮東公園) established in the 1980's is a restoration of greenery to the site.[11][12]
The shrine's buildings were maintained by donations from a number of benefactors, including well-knownSengoku period figures likeOda Nobunaga,Toyotomi Hideyoshi and theTokugawas. For example, theNobunaga-Bei, a 7.4 m high roofed mud wall, was donated to the shrine in 1560 by Nobunaga as a token of gratitude for his victory at theBattle of Okehazama.[13] A wooden gate calledKaijō-mon (海上門 lit. "Sea Gate") was made along with the mud wall. This gate was aNational Treasure and was lost during the Pacific war bombings on 17 May 1945.[14][15] The west gate was a larger wooden structure calledChinkō-mon (鎮皇門) that was used for imperial processions.[16] It was dedicated byKato Kiyomasa. This gate was also registered as a national treasure, it was lost 29 July 1945 in another air raid.[17][18] and replaced with a simple woodentorii. The east gateShunkō-mon (春敲門) was dedicated toYang Guifei, who according to legend found refuge here. A water spring is also connected to her legend.[19][20]
In 1893, it was remodeled using theShinmeizukuri architectural style, the same style used in the building ofIse Shrine. Before a celebration in 1935, the shrine's buildings as well as other facilities were completely rearranged and improved in order to better reflect the history and cultural significance of the shrine.[2]
During the aerial raids of thePacific War, however, many of Atsuta Shrine's buildings were destroyed by fire. The shrine's main buildings, such as thehonden, were reconstructed and completed in 1955.[2] Following the completion of these buildings, construction of other buildings continued on the shrine grounds. In 1966 the Treasure Hall was completed in order to house the shrine's collection of objects, manuscripts and documents.[21]
Augmented reality was developed to see structures that have been lost over time.[22]
This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the veneration ofAtsuta-no-Ōkami. Also enshrined are the "Five Great Gods of Atsuta", all of whom are connected with the legendary narratives of the sacred sword —Amaterasu-Ōmikami,Takehaya Susanoo-no-mikoto,Yamato Takeru-no-mikoto,Miyazu-hime, andTake Inadane-no-mikoto.[23]
Atsuta is the traditional repository ofKusanagi no Tsurugi, the ancient sword that is considered one of theThree Sacred Treasures of Japan.[24] Central to the Shinto significance of Atsuta Shrine is the sacred sword which is understood to be a gift from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This unique object has represented the authority and stature of Japan's emperors since time immemorial. Kusanagi is imbued with Amaterasu's spirit.[25]
During the reign ofEmperor Sujin, duplicate copies of the Imperial regalia were made in order to safeguard the originals from theft.[26] This fear of theft proved to be justified during the reign ofEmperor Tenji when the sacred sword was stolen from Atsuta; and it was not to be returned until the reign ofEmperor Tenmu.[3] There is also the purported loss of the Kusanagi during the 1185Battle of Dan-no-ura, where it was presumed lost at sea when theEmperor Antoku committed suicide by drowning together with remnants of theHeike. Although not seen by the general public since that time, it is said to have remained in safekeeping at the shrine up to the present day.
_in_Atsuta_Shrine_-_2.jpg)
The shrine'sBunkaden, or treasure hall, houses over 4,000 relics, which include 174Important Cultural Properties and adagger that is a designatedNational Treasure of Japan. Atsuta Jingu Museum preserves and displays a variety of historic material, including thekoshinpō (sacred garments, furniture and utensils for use of the enshrined deities). A number of donated swords,[27] mirrors and other objects are held by the shrine, includingBugaku masks and other material associated with ancient court dances. TheBunkaden collection ranges from ancient documents to household articles. Aichi Prefecture has designated 174 items as important cultural assets.[28]
Over 70 ceremonies andfestivals are held annually at the shrine.[21]
The Atsuta Shrine has 1betsugū, 8sessha, and 19massha inside thehongū, and 4sessha and 12massha outsidehongū, 45 shrines in total (including thehongū).[34]
![Postcard of the Kaijō-mon (海上門 lit. "Sea Gate") with the earthen Nobunaga-bei wall that remains. The gate was a National Treasure and was lost in the Pacific War. It can be seen through augmented reality.[35][15]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aPostcard_of_Gate_Kaijo-Mon_Atsuta_Shrine_Scan10007.jpg)
![Postcard of the east gate Shunkō-mon (春敲門) dedicated to Yang Guifei.[36] The gate was a National Treasure and was lost in the Pacific War.](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aPostcard_of_gates_of_Atsuta_Shrine_02.jpg)
The subway stationsAtsuta Jingu Temma-cho Station andAtsuta Jingu Nishi Station serve the area.Atsuta Station is a JR station.Jingū-mae Station is aMeitetsu station.
Media related toAtsuta Shrine at Wikimedia Commons
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