Akagi Jinja (Shinto Shrine)
Ogo Hikotaro Shigeharu is a member of powerful clan, origin near Akagiyama in Gunma. When he moved to Ushigome in 1300, he separated and moved deity of his local shrine Akagi Jinja to Ushigome. The shrine had relocated some times and came to the present place in 1555.
In 1683, the Edo Shogunate approved it to be a local deity of Ushigome. It became to be called one of the three Shrines in Edo same as Hie Jinja and Kanda Myojin.
It has long history but its building, designed by Kuma Kengo inspired with the traditional shrine architecture and slope, is very beautiful in modern way. Large daylighting of glass wall, plain wood lattice and Yamato-bari with aluminum, those exterior features are arranged with modern materials.
To keep the tradition and to spread the local culture, the shrine actively organizes new trials such as “Akagi Marche” and “Akagi Yose.” (*Yose is a comic theater where often rakugo is played.) The shrine is trying to bring in a new value of its existence physically and emotionally.
To keep the tradition and to spread the local culture, the shrine actively organizes new trials such as “Akagi Marche” and “Akagi Yose.” (*Yose is a comic theater where often rakugo is played.) The shrine is trying to bring in a new value of its existence physically and emotionally.
It enshrines Iwatsutsuo no Mikoto, the god of leaning arts and protection against fire, and Akagihime no Mikoto, the goddess who grants wishes from women. So many women visit and pray for a good marriage, a harmonious life with partner and an easy labor.
And you should get an omamori designed with “GeGeGe no Kitaro” and “Medama-oyaji”. They were made because Mizuki Shigeru, the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, wished success of animation series when it was planned to be made. Please take them to bring you luck.
Left: Kitro Omamori designed with his vest and it protects you from evil.
Righ: Medama-oyaji Omamori brings you good luck.
Price: 1,000 yen
Sep 2016 Text: Ryoko Kuraishi Photo: Yasuo Yamaguchi