Honson Hachiōji Shrine (本村八王子神社)

Hachioji Shrine (八王子神社)

Haiden of Hachioji Jinja

There is a Shinto shrine called Hachioji Shrine (八王子神社), a kenmu-sha of Dairokuten Jinja, in the Honson District of Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.  The deities enshrined are Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto (市杵島比売命), Takirihime-no-Mikoto (多紀理比売命), Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto (多岐津比売命), Amenooshihomimi-no-Mikoto (天忍穂耳命), Amenohohi-no-Mikoto (天之菩卑能命), Amatsuhikone-no-Mikoto (天津日子根命), Kumanokusubi-no-Mikoto (熊野久須毘命), and Ikutsuhikone-no-Mikoto (活津日子根命).

It is unclear when the shrine was founded, but the origin is believed to be an ancient grave the locals built at the site which later became the basis of Hachioiji Gongen (八王子権現) built to enshrine their souls and to pay respect to the gods.  The Honson District is said to be the oldest area in Chigasaki.

Torii (left), temizu-ya (center), and belfry (right)

After the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate, many visited the shrine to pray for continued luck in battles for the warriors.  On May 18, 1333, Nitta Yoshisada visited the shrine on his way to Kamakura and was able to end the control of the Hojo clan which dominated the position of shikken (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate for more than a century.  In 1335, on his way to Kyoto, he visited the shrine again and repaired the shrine building.

In 1649, the Tokugawa shogun family donated land to the shrine.  In November 1764, the shrine building was restored.  In August 1840, the haiden and heiden were restored.

During the Meiji Restoration, the shrine's name was changed from Hachioji Gongen to Hachioji Jinja.

Haiden (left), heiden (center), and honden (right) of Hachioji Jinja

Remains of the old torii

On September 1, 1923, shortly after the Reitai Festival, the Great Kanto Earthquake hit the area causing the buildings and other structures of the shrine to collapse.  Luckily, no one was killed.  With the donation from the ujiko (parishioners), the current shrine building was rebuilt in April 1927.  The remains of the old torii that collapsed during the earthquake are displayed behind the temizu-ya.

Shrine office

Standing in front of the haiden of Hachioji Jinja, the ginkgo tree (公孫樹) on the left is the goshinboku and is believed to bring prosperity to families for generations.

Goshinboku (ginkgo tree)

The bell in front of the tree has the date of August of Genroku 15 (1702) engraved.  The original bell was taken out during World War II.  To ring the bell, first bow once and then strike the bell with the log-shaped hammer once.

Belfry

Behind the goshinboku are two stones, known as chikaraishi (力石), which were used for competitive stone-lifting during festivals.

Chikaraishi

There are also several stone monuments in the premise of the shrine.  Between the belfry and remains of the old torii are koshin-to, dosojin, and kaikoku kuyo-to (廻国供養塔).  During the mid-Edo period, making a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines throughout the nation became popular.  This was called kaikoku (廻国/回国).  Kaikoku kuyo-to or kaikoku-to were stone markers placed by the pilgrims.

There are also stone monuments, presumably koshin-to and/or dosojin, next to the subordinate shrine of Yasaka Jinja (八坂神社).

Subordinate Shrines

Yasaka Jinja (八坂神社)

Yasaka Jinja

It is unclear when Yasaka Jinja (八坂神社) was founded, but records show the shrine was restored in 1813 by its ujiko.  The shrine enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto (須佐之男命) and still participates in the Hamaori-sai independently.

Inari Daimyojin (稲荷大明神)

Inari Daimyojin

On the left of Yasaka Jinja is an Inari shrine enshrining Ukanomitama-no-Kami (宇迦之御魂神).  The stone marker states the shrine name of Shoichii Inari Daimyojin (正一位稲荷大明神) while the stone tablet behind the marker states the name of Honson Inari Daimyojin (本村稲荷大明神).  It is unclear when the shrine was founded, but a wooden board found, during the restoration of the shrine, stated Koka 5 (1848) proving the shrine already existed then.

Gokoku-sha (護國社)

Gokoku-sha

Gokoku-sha (護國社) was founded in September 2017 to enshrine the souls of 50 people from the area who died in the First Sino-Japanese War, Russo-Japanese War, and World War II.

Honson Tenmangu (本村天満宮)

Gokoku-sha (left) and Honson Tenmangu (right)

It is unclear when Honson Tenmangu (本村天満宮) was founded, but it has been a subordinate shrine of Hachioji Shrine from long ago.  The shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真公).  The shrine building was rebuilt in 1988 since the previous one was suffering from damage due to aging.

Michizane was banished by his political rival from Kyoto to Fukuoka where he died.  It is said, when his remains were carried on an ox carriage, the ox stopped and sat down near a Buddhist temple.  Unable to move his remains from the spot, based on his will, he was buried there which is said to be where Dazaifu Tenmangu now stands.  The statues of the two oxen in front of Honson Tenmangu is based on this legend.  Many say rubbing their heads will bring good luck.