鹿島神宮
2306-1 Miyachū, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture
The main shrine of Hitachi Province enshrines Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, sent from Takamagahara to subdue Ashihara no Nakatsukuni. He is related to Takeminakata-no-Kami at Suwa Taisha. Their contest, believed to be the origin of sumo wrestling, is depicted only in the Kojiki. Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto, and Takeminakata-no-Kami are Japan's three great military gods, often seen in period dramas and martial arts dojos.
Katori Jingu in Chiba Prefecture, Ikisu Shrine in Kamisu City, and Kashima Jingu in Ibaraki Prefecture are known as the Three Shrines of Tōkoku. Established around 600 BCE during Emperor Jimmu's reign, it is about a 10-minute walk from JR Kashima Jingu Station along an approach lined with souvenir shops.
At the end of the approach stands a large stone torii gate, marking the beginning of the shrine grounds, surrounded by a deep, quiet grove. The stone-paved path leads to the bright red Romon gate, an important cultural property dedicated by the first lord of the Mito domain in 1634. Human figures and lightning-shaped objects are enshrined on either side of the gate.
| Romon Gate | National Important Cultural Property 1642 (Kanei 19) |
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Along the wide straight approach, near the Romon gate, stands the main hall, built by Tokugawa Hidetada in 1618, featuring a plain wooden construction.
Behind the main hall stands the main shrine, also built during Hidetada's era. It is a large three-bay nagare-zukuri style building with vivid black and red decorations. The roof, covered with cypress bark, has a front gabled section with numerous strings hanging down. Recently restored, its vibrant colors are worth seeing, though visitors cannot enter the inner sanctum.
| Main Shrine | National Important Cultural Property 1618 (Genna 4) |
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| Architecture Style | Three-bay Nagare-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Ishi-no-Ma | National Important Cultural Property 1618 (Genna 4) |
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| Architecture Style | Two-bay by one-bay, One-story, Gabled Roof, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Main Hall | National Important Cultural Property 1618 (Genna 4) |
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| Architecture Style | Five-bay by three-bay, Hip-and-gable Roof, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Heiden | National Important Cultural Property 1618 (Genna 4) |
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| Architecture Style | Two-bay by one-bay, Hip-and-gable Roof, Cypress Bark Roof |
Across the approach from the main shrine is the temporary shrine, also an important cultural property. It is a temporary abode for the deity during relocation, built in the same period as the main shrine. Unlike the nagare-zukuri main shrine, it features a gabled roof and a three-bay by two-bay structure commonly seen in shrine architecture.
| Temporary Shrine | National Important Cultural Property 1618 (Genna 4) |
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| Architecture Style | Three-bay by two-bay, Gabled Roof, Cypress Bark Roof |
The path extending further into the shrine grounds is surrounded by a deep grove designated as a natural monument. Unlike the bright, open area around the Romon gate and main shrine, the path to the Okumiya is enveloped in deep greenery and large tree trunks. About 30 deer are kept near the path as sacred deer. It is believed that the messenger deity, Amanokaku, who delivered orders from Amaterasu to Takemikazuchi-no-Kami, is enshrined as the deer deity. The establishment of Kasuga Taisha in Nara is also said to have involved a divine spirit from Kashima Jingu carried on a deer's back.
The Okumiya is a simple wooden structure in the nagare-zukuri style. The shrine, surrounded by a fence, features a front-facing Myojin torii gate. It was dedicated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1605. It is also designated as an important cultural property and enshrines the deity's rough spirit.
| Okumiya | National Important Cultural Property 1605 (Keicho 10) |
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| Architecture Style | Three-bay by two-bay, Nagare-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Location | 2306-1 Miyachū, Kashima City, Ibaraki Prefecture |
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| Website | http://www.bokuden.or.jp/~kashimaj/ |
| Main Deity | Takemikazuchi |