Akama Jingu Shrine [Yamaguchi]

2025年4月20日

【Akama Jingu Shrine summary】

Akama Jingu Shrine was built in 1191. It was built to comfort the souls of Emperor Antoku (8 years old) and the Heike clan who were defeated in the Battle of Dannoura and drowned in the sea. Originally a Buddhist temple called Amida-dera Temple, it became a Shinto shrine under the Shinto/Buddhist Separation Order of the Meiji era. It was renamed Akama Jingu Shrine in 1940.

The deity is Emperor Antoku.

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Image: Photo AC

【What is the Battle of Dannoura?】

The “Genpei Kassen” (Genpei War) began in 1180 and lasted about 10 years, during which the Genji and Heike warrior clans fought for supremacy across the country.

The final battle took place at a place called Dannoura. The Heike were severely defeated, and Emperor Antoku and his family were driven into the sea. Sadly, the emperor and his family chose the fate of throwing themselves into the sea.

【Akama Jingu Shrine Suitenmon】

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Image: Photo AC

The red shrine gate, modeled after the Dragon’s Palace, is very beautiful and certainly evokes the image of the Dragon’s Palace. This Suitenmon Gate was built in 1957 (Showa 32) to resemble the Dragon’s Palace. It is a rare architectural feature of Japanese shrines, and is well worth seeing. It is now designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property.

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Image: Photo AC

Looking back after climbing the stairs, you will have a clear view of the Kanmon Straits. The ancient battlefield of Dannoura, where the Heike clan perished, is also nearby.

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Image: Photo AC

The red shrine gate, which imitates the Dragon’s Palace as Emperor Antoku’s abode under the sea, is very beautiful and certainly makes one imagine the Dragon’s Palace.

【Akama Jingu Shrine Daianden】

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Image: Photo AC

It was destroyed by fire during the war, but the present magnificent shrine building was erected in 1965.

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The shrine offers many benefits related to water and the sea, including safe delivery, safe marine transportation, bountiful fish catches, and water business.

【Akama Jingu Shrine Hoichido – Hoichi the Earless】

A statue of Hoichi the Earless is enshrined in the treasure hall next to the hall of worship, along with a picture scroll of the Tale of the Heike. The statue can be viewed for a fee (100 yen), and the “Hoichi Festival” is held on July 15 every year, with a Shinto ritual and biwa (Japanese lute) performance.

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【Who is Hoichi Earless?】

It is a ghost story about a blind biwa master, Hoichi, who tries to escape from a vengeful spirit by writing sutras all over his body, only to have his ears shredded off because he forgot to write sutras on them. Amidadera Temple, the setting of the tale of Hoichi the Earless, is today’s Akama Jingu Shrine.

【Akama Jingu Shrine postbox】

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The post box by the torii gate is light blue and decorated with an objet d’art of fugu (blowfish), a quintessential Shimonoseki sight. Next door is the historically famous fugu restaurant Shunpanro.

【Akama Jingu Shrine Nearby attractions】

Shimonoseki Aquarium, Sumiyoshi Shrine, Kanmon Kaikyo Museum

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Sumiyoshi Shrine [Yamaguchi]

【Akama Jingu Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

I think it is a very beautiful shrine with a magnificent red gate (Suitenmon). There are many other places of interest within the grounds of the shrine, including the tombs of the Heike clan and the Hoichi Hall. If I have a chance, I would like to visit the shrine again. If you are planning to visit the Heike Monogatari, you should not miss this place!

Site/Facility Size

(3.5)

Richness of Nature

(3)

Ease of access

(2.5)

Number of tourists

(3)