小菅神社
Mizuho,Iiyama City
A Training Ground for Shugenja in Shinano
Kosuge Shrine, formerly known as Kosuge Goryuji Temple under the Shingon sect until the Meiji Restoration, was a prominent training ground for shugenja in Shinano, alongside Togakushi. The origin of its establishment is uncertain, but ancient documents suggest that En no Gyoja, while traveling through various provinces, founded the temple. En no Gyoja enshrined Kosuge Gongen as the main deity, along with seven other gods. Later, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro visited and developed the main hall and other structures.
During the Sengoku period, the shrine was under the protection of the Uesugi clan of Echigo. Various artifacts related to Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, Uesugi Kenshin, and Kobo Daishi remain. After the Meiji era, the separation of Shinto and Buddhism led to its renaming as Kosuge Shrine in 1900.
Located in the Mizuho area of Iiyama City, the shrine offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. The first torii gate is situated on a road lined with houses. Following the steep slope and fields, the first building encountered is the Niomon Gate, originally called the Niodo, built in 1697.
The Kosuge Shrine in the Mizuho district of Iiyama City, a filming location for the movie "Amidado Dayori," is situated in a basin surrounded by high mountains, offering a great view from the shrine.
The first torii stands on a road lined with residences.
From there, a steep path continues through fields, leading to the first building, the Niomon Gate, built in the gabled style, dating back to 1697.
The approach to the Satomiya Shrine at Kosuge Shrine
Satomiya Kagura Hall
Satomiya Main Shrine
The Satomiya buildings were renovated in 1660 by the Iiyama Castle Lord Matsudaira. The current structures were extensively renovated in 1923. The shrine grounds include a Kagura Hall, Mikoshi Hall, and Horse Hall.
Lecture Hall
Amida Triad Statue
Gomado Hall
The Lecture Hall next to the Satomiya Shrine originally belonged to the Chuin of Goryuji Temple. Surrounding structures were destroyed during the Warring States period by Takeda's forces, but the Lecture Hall was rebuilt in 1697 by the Iiyama Castle Lord Matsudaira. Inside, there is an Amida Triad Statue, and the annual Hashiramatsu Festival is held here in mid-July.
Continuing up the slope with the Satomiya Shrine on the left, you reach the torii gate leading to the Okusha Shrine. The path, lined with centuries-old cedar trees, transitions into a main approach as the surrounding settlements thin out.
From the torii gate at the entrance of Okusha Shrine to the main shrine is about 1200 meters. The path is a stone-paved road lined with cedar trees for about 700 meters, after which it becomes a mountain trail. There are chain sections along the way, so appropriate climbing attire is recommended for worshippers.
The first building seen at Kosuge Shrine Okusha is the Shinsen Hall. Though a small, gabled structure, it is flanked by stone lanterns, and the Okusha Shrine can be seen above.
The Okusha Shrine faces south with a gabled roof entrance. The front is constructed in a cliff-hanging style, with the rear abutting a cliff, giving the impression of a building covered by rock.
The large main building is three ken wide and two ken deep, with eaves on the east, south, and west sides. The north eaves are omitted as they are inside the rock cave. Eaves run around the three exposed sides, with the south side built in a cliff-hanging style, accessible by stairs on the west side of the approach. The rear eaves of the main building form the inner sanctum, with the front building as the outer sanctum.
The outer sanctum's south façade has two central sections with shutters, flanked by sliding lattice doors. The west side has a central plank door, a south-side lattice door, and a north-side plank wall, with sliding lattice doors on the east. The inner sanctum is slightly elevated and separated by fixed two-step panels with sliding lattice doors on either side.
Underneath the eaves, large foundation stones support substantial pillars without any anchoring holes. Each pillar is connected with braces, and the floorboards are interlocked.
The main entrance door is securely closed, preventing a view of the interior sanctuary. Unlike other shrines that use lattice doors, this shrine uses solid shutters, giving a more solemn impression.
Many Graffiti Marks on the Southern Shutters and Doors of Okusha Shrine
There are numerous graffiti marks with wishes like "I want to be good at soccer" and "May I live a regret-free life," as well as personal messages. Although historically, expressing strong feelings through graffiti was a form of faith, we hope visitors now express their feelings differently to preserve this cultural heritage.
| Location | Iiyama City, Mizuho |
|---|---|
| Website | None |
| Deities | Hasso Gongen |
| Main Shrine | National Important Cultural Property Renovated in 1592 |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | Ono Gennojō Masataka |
| Architectural Style | Hanging construction, 4 ken by 4 ken, gabled roof, copper plate roofing |
| Associated Shrine | Built in 1425 |
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| Architectural Style | 2 ken by 2 ken, gabled roof, bark roofing, 2 structures |