三峯神社
298-1 Mitsumine, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture
It is said that when Yamato Takeru no Mikoto embarked on his eastern expedition, he climbed Mount Mitsumine and enshrined Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto. The construction of the shrine was meant to honor the creation of Japan by these two deities, with the breathtaking view from the deep mountains of Chichibu reflecting this belief.
The shrine also has a history as a sacred site for Shugendo mountain ascetic practices. It is believed that En no Ozunu, who lived around the 600s to 700s, visited Mount Mitsumine for ascetic training. This is thought to mark the beginning of Shugendo practices on Mount Mitsumine. By the mid-700s, a main hall was constructed, and the shrine gradually became a syncretic site of Shinto and Buddhism.
Today, Mitsumine Shrine is a popular spiritual site, attracting many visitors seeking its powerful energy. At the base of the shrine, there are souvenir shops and a large parking area, making it a convenient destination.
At the entrance of the shrine grounds stands the rare Mitsumine Torii, a unique torii gate design where two additional torii are combined with a central *myōjin torii*. Other known examples of this type of torii include the one at Ōmiwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture. As you ascend the asphalt path from the torii, a large statue of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto comes into view. The path then turns left and leads to a grand *Zuishinmon* gate.
The *Zuishinmon*, adorned with vivid colors, was originally constructed in 1691. The current gate was rebuilt a century later in 1791. It houses two guardian deity statues, and the gate itself is decorated with vibrant ornaments.
Past the *Zuishinmon*, a gravel path lined with lanterns leads to the shrine's main worship hall. Climbing the stone steps, you'll reach a bronze torii gate built in 1845. This gate was transported from Tokyo's Fukagawa and brought to the shrine via rafts down the Arakawa River.
Flanking the torii gate, the *Yatsu-mune-ki tōdai* (eight-posted lantern) on the right side stands at 6 meters tall. Painted red and adorned with metal decorations, it was built in 1857. On the left side is the *chōzuya* (purification fountain), constructed in 1853. Its intricate carvings and vibrant colors, especially the striking dragon sculpture, make it a masterpiece of architectural detail.
The worship hall, built in 1800, features vivid decorations. The building is richly adorned with carvings and painted in bright colors. Behind the worship hall, the main hall is slightly less colorful but still in keeping with the vibrant style of Mitsumine Shrine. The intricate details on the framework and architraves stand out as remarkable examples of craftsmanship.
Beside the worship hall are shrines dedicated to the ancestral deities (*sorei-sha*) and Kuni no Tokotachi no Mikoto. Although less ornate, these shrines still display vibrant color schemes and evoke a smaller version of the main worship hall.
