大山祇神社
3327 Miyauchi, Ōmishima Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture
The Ichinomiya (highest ranked shrine) of Iyo Province, located in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture.
The shrine is dedicated to the deity Ōyamatsumi no Mikoto, also known as Mishima Daimyojin, and serves as the head shrine of all Ōyamatsumi shrines across Japan.
The sacred mountain, Mount Washigatou (436 meters high), located on Ōmishima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, is worshipped as the deity, and the shrine grounds are located at the foot of the mountain on the western side of the island.
Ōyamatsumi Shrine has been revered as a protector of mountains, seas, and warriors. During the Genpei War period, many weapons were offered to the shrine, and a significant number of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties are stored here.
At the entrance to Ōyamatsumi Shrine stands a large stone torii gate.
Stone lanterns are placed on both sides of the stone-paved path, and a pair of guardian dogs (komainu) stand guard in front of the torii.
As you walk through the spacious and bright shrine grounds, you will come upon a large wooden main gate (Sōmon), which was reconstructed in 2010 to restore the gate that had originally burned down in 1322.
The statues enshrined on either side of the main gate represent warriors, which is fitting for a shrine that is revered as a protector of battles.
The statue on the right holds a drawn sword, while the statue on the left is posed with a bow and arrow.
The armor worn by the statues evokes images of the Genpei War.
The spacious shrine grounds are surrounded by sacred groves, and the path leads straight to the shrine's main gate (Shinmon).
Within the grounds stands a large camphor tree that is said to be over 2,600 years old and is recognized as a natural monument and sacred tree.
Beyond the camphor tree, you will find the main gate (Shinmon), built on an elevated platform in 1661. The shrine buildings, surrounded by sacred fences, are situated beyond the gate.
The worship hall (Haiden), located directly in front of the main gate, was constructed in 1427.
It is built in the suki-zukuri style without elaborate coloring, and its gabled roof is covered with cypress bark.
There is an extended roof on the front of the structure, and a veranda runs around the perimeter.
Behind the worship hall stand three shrine buildings: the main hall (Honden) in the center, flanked by the Uetsu Shrine and the Shimoetsu Shrine on either side.
The main hall, with white walls and red wooden elements, was constructed in 1427 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
It is built in the sankensha nagare-zukuri style, and its roof is covered with cypress bark.
The main hall features wooden panels on the sides and a surrounding veranda.
A sacred fence was erected on both sides of the main hall's front.
To the right of the main hall is the Uetsu Shrine, and to the left is the Shimoetsu Shrine. Both are built in the sankensha nagare-zukuri style.
The Uetsu Shrine, built during the Enkyō era, is designated as a cultural property of Ehime Prefecture.
To the left of the main path, below the main gate, is the Jūshichi Shrine, where 17 deities are enshrined. The shrine follows a format in which the Jūroku Shrine is connected to the Jūshichi Shrine.
The shrine building, constructed in 1378, is designated as a cultural property of Ehime Prefecture.
| Location | 3327 Miyauchi, Ōmishima Town, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture |
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| Website | None |
| Deity | Ōyamatsumi no Mikoto |
| Main Hall | Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property Built in Ōei 34 (1427) |
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| Architectural Style | Sankensha Nagare-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Main Gate | Built in Kanbun 1 (1661) |
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| Architectural Style | Kiri-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Uetsu Shrine | Cultural Property of Ehime Prefecture Built during the Enkyō Era (1744–1748) |
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| Architectural Style | Sankensha Nagare-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
| Jūshichi Shrine | Cultural Property of Ehime Prefecture Built in Eiwa 4 (1378) |
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| Architectural Style | Irimoya-zukuri, Cypress Bark Roof |
