修那羅山安宮神社
Located on the Shonara Pass that connects Chikuhoku Village to Aoki Village is the Shonara-san Anju Shrine, locally known as Shonara-sama.
It is said to have originated in the late Edo period when Mochizuki Rujirou, born in Myoko Village, Niigata Prefecture, traveled through various shugendo training grounds across the country and eventually settled in this area.
Mochizuki Rujirou took the name Shonara Daitenmu and demonstrated many mysterious powers, gaining a following.
The approach to Anju Shrine is lined with straight cedar trees.
From the parking lot, it is about a 10-minute walk along the approach.
Climbing the stone steps, you will find the shrine building.
The main hall, located behind the worship hall, is in the nagare-zukuri style.
Stone shrines are placed on both sides, surrounded by a stone fence.
All the pillars are made of square timbers, with eaves and side panels, but there are no rainbow beams or carvings, making it a simple structure.
Behind the main hall, there are numerous stone shrines.
In addition, about 800 stone statues of gods and Buddha and about 160 wooden statues of gods and Buddha stand around the area.
These statues were erected by followers of Shonara Daitenmu and local residents from the late Edo period to the Meiji era. Many of the stone statues are about 40 centimeters tall, and their shapes and expressions are quite unique.
Since the stone statues of gods and Buddha are enshrined as auxiliary shrines, there are a total of 1,128 shrines, including all the shrines.