Oyama jinja

Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, is located next to Kenrokuen Garden. This shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie and his wife, Matsu. Kanazawa became prosperous under Toshiie's rule after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's unification of Japan. Before that, Toshiie served the Oda clan and had many heroic exploits.

Toshiie, a distinguished commander known for leading the elite Aka-horo-shu under Oda Nobunaga and being highly valued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is enshrined here. His wife, Matsu, is also celebrated for her support.

The shrine was built by Toshiie's second son, Toshinaga, after Toshiie's death. Originally called Utatsu Hachiman Shrine, it was located in the northeastern part of Kanazawa Castle, considered an unlucky direction, and later moved to its current location in 1875.

The shrine gate, designated as an important cultural property, was built in 1875. The three-story gate combines Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, with stained glass windows on the top floor that shine beautifully in the western sun. At night, the gate is illuminated from within. The gate also features Japan's oldest lightning rod.

The intricate carvings throughout the shrine, including those on the transom, prominently feature the Maeda family crest, the Umebachi (plum blossom). Due to its proximity to Kenrokuen Garden and its historical connection to the Maeda family, the shrine is frequently visited by tourists. The blend of Western architectural elements in the otherwise traditional Japanese shrine is both rare and fascinating.