小國神社
3956-1 Ichinomiya, Mori Town, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture
Oguni Shrine, the Ichinomiya of Totomi Province, is believed to have been established in 555 AD when a divine spirit appeared on Mount Hongu, prompting the construction of a shrine at its base by imperial command.
The name "Oguni" (Small Country) contrasts with the "Okuni" (Great Country) of Izumo, symbolizing the beauty of Totomi.
The shrine path, surrounded by a sacred grove from the torii gate, has ten subsidiary shrines.
Among them is the Shrine of the Combined Deities of the National Ichinomiya, which enshrines 73 deities from Ichinomiya shrines nationwide. The original shrine burned down during the Meiji period and was rebuilt as a subsidiary shrine in 1989.
The Shinkosha, located halfway along the path, is where the mikoshi is carried during the April festival and is said to be visited by the deity only once a year.
Beyond the second torii gate, the shrine complex unfolds with the haiden (worship hall) in front, followed by the heiden (offering hall) and the honden (main hall) at the rear.
To the right of the haiden is the maidono (dance hall), where the Taasobi ritual is performed in March, and the Juunidan Bugaku (twelve-step dance) in April.
The honden is built in the Taisha-zukuri style, while other buildings feature a hirairi irimoya-zukuri style.
All structures are made of plain wood with minimal decoration, secured with metal fittings.
Location | 3956-1 Ichinomiya, Mori Town, Shuchi District, Shizuoka Prefecture |
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Website | http://www.okunijinja.or.jp/ |
Deity | Onamuchi no Mikoto |
Main Hall | Taisha-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |