Kotohiragu

National Headquarters of Konpira Shrines
Main Shrine of Konpira Shrines
Commonly known as "Konpira-san," Kotohira-gu Shrine is located on the mid-slope of Mount Zozu in Kotohira Town, Kagawa Prefecture.
It is sometimes called "Kotohira-gu" or "Kotohira Shrine." Before the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, it was known as Matsuo-dera Konko-in of the Shingon sect and was referred to as Konpira Daigongen due to the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism.
Currently, it is the headquarters of Konpira Honkyo, making it the main shrine for all Konpira Shrines nationwide.

From the torii gate at the base of Mount Zozu, where souvenir shops are lined up, to the main shrine halfway up the mountain, and further to the inner shrine, a long stone staircase continues, totaling 1,368 steps.
At the entrance stands a large stone torii gate, flanked by important cultural properties: a pair of Bizen ware koma-inu (guardian lion-dogs).

Donated Hanging Lanterns
Guardian of the Sea
The stone staircase leading from the torii gate to the main shrine consists of 785 steps.
Along the way, on the left, there is a long, narrow, tiled-roofed building known as the "Lamp Hall," built in 1858.
Inside, there are many donated hanging lanterns, mainly from Bingo Province and Innoshima, indicating the strong faith of fishermen and sailors in the Konpira cult.

The origin of Kotohira-gu Shrine has two theories. One suggests that it began as a temporary palace built by the deity Omononushi-no-Mikoto when he visited Mount Zozu, which later became Kotohira Shrine and eventually Konpira Daigongen due to its syncretism with Buddhism.

Another theory suggests that Konpira was originally enshrined at Matsuo-dera on Mount Zozu, and that En-no-Gyoja, a mystic of the Nara period, experienced the divine power of Konpira while climbing the mountain, leading to the establishment of Konpira Daigongen.
The deity is worshipped as the guardian of maritime traffic, stemming from the belief that Omononushi-no-Mikoto appeared from the sea, illuminating the waves.

Paved Path and Shoin-zukuri Architecture
Beyond the Great Gate, the path becomes a gently sloping stone pavement. Both sides are lined with cherry trees and lanterns.
Along the long path, various torii gates are erected, some being myojin torii and others shinmei torii.

Beyond the stone-paved path, as you climb the stone steps, the shrine grounds open up, and on the left is the sacred horse stable.
Further along the stone steps is the building housing the Japan Lifesaving Association, built in the Momoyama style and designated an important cultural property.

Asahi-sha, located further up the stone steps from the shoin, is a large 18m-tall shrine building.
Originally the kondo (main hall) of Matsuo-dera before the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, it is a two-story irimoya-zukuri structure with a copper-tiled roof.
Built in 1837, it took 40 years to complete, entirely using zelkova wood.
The interior features cloud carvings on the roof, with carvings of people, birds, animals, and flowers on the pillars and doors.
The large plaque on the second floor, said to be the size of four tatami mats, reads "Koshinkan," inscribed by Qing Dynasty calligrapher Wang Wen-zhi.

As you proceed along the path from Asahi-sha, you will see a four-legged gate known as Sagenoki Gate.
It is said that Chosokabe Motochika, who conquered Shikoku during the Warring States period, built this gate overnight out of fear of defiling the sacred area.
In the haste of construction, one of the six pillars was erected upside down, leading to the name "Reverse Tree Gate." However, the negative connotation of "reverse" led to its current name, "Sagenoki Gate."

Main Shrine at the 785th/1368th Step
Upon climbing the 785th step, you reach the main shrine.
The main shrine hall, built in 1878, is a grand structure with a cypress bark roof in the Taisha-zukuri style.
The building has irimoya gables on all four sides, with an extended eave at the front staircase.
The hall measures three bays in width and four bays in depth.

The main hall, like the worship hall, was built in 1878 in the Taisha-zukuri style.
The sides feature intricate pine carvings, glowing brightly.
The three-tiered structure with simple construction provides an impressive view.
While there are no particularly notable carvings, each part is adorned with gold-lettered round plaques.

Across from the worship hall is the Kagura Hall.
It features a cypress bark roof in the irimoya-zukuri style, matching the architectural style of the worship hall and main hall.

Next to the main shrine stands Mihozu Hime Shrine, dedicated to Omononushi-no-Mikoto's consort.
The worship hall shares the Taisha-zukuri style with the main shrine, while the main hall is built in the Oji-zukuri style.
The Oji-zukuri style, also known as Kumano-zukuri, features a gabled front with corner rafters and a rear irimoya-zukuri roof.
The shinsen-den (hall for sacred offerings) is connected to the main shrine by a corridor called Kitawatari-den.

The path continues further up the stone steps from the main shrine, leading to the inner shrine.
Along the way, you will find numerous subsidiary and branch shrines, as well as many torii gates.
As you enter the mountain, the impression shifts from shrine grove to being surrounded by the forested mountainside.

Many worshippers visit the shrine, and despite the long stone steps, many continue to the inner shrine.
There used to be a custom of visiting both Kotohira-gu Shrine and Yuga Shrine in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, across the sea, known as "dual pilgrimage."