Loading
  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Shikaumi Shrine

Empress Jingu,
Tamayorihime,
Emperor Ojin,

Azumi-no-isora

Shikaumi Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. It is located on Shikanoshima island.

The shrine has historical connections to foreign wars as it was the place from which Empress Jingū launched her invasion of Korea, and it was also a site of conflict during the Mongol invasions of Japan.

The Azumi people, who inhabited Kyushu, traditionally followed the sea deity, Watatsumi. Shikaumi Shrine is considered this deity's ancestral shrine, and also honors Watatsumi and Azumi-no-isora.

The primary revered figures of the shrine include, on the left, Nakatsu Watatsumi no Kami (middle depth god) and Empress Jingū; in the middle, Sokotsu Watatsumi no Kami (depths god) and Tamayorihime no Kami; and on the right, Uwatsu Watatsumi no Kami (sea surface god) and Emperor Ōjin.

The three watatsumis are speculated to correspond to historical fishing practices

Empress Jingū and Emperor Ojin are both worshipped at the shrine due to their relationship with the myth of the invasion of the Three Han. Empress Jingu had sex with the god Azumi-no-isora while pregnant with Emperor Ojin after he said from the womb that it was acceptable, and then Azumi no Isora gave her the tide jewels. Watatsumi Shrine which was founded by Empress Jingu when she returned from the Three Han (三韓, Korea) campaign. and also worships Watatsumi and Ikasuri Shrine and Ikuta Shrine which were also founded by her at the time.

The biennial gojinkosai ceremony held at the shrine is recognized as an intangible cultural property by the prefecture.

The shrine incorporates a deer motif in its rituals and designs. The deer motif is significant to the Azumi people and their beliefs, and is a common feature in the historic culture of the region.