Einoo Tsurugi Shrine [Kumamoto]

【Einoo Tsurugi Shrine summary】

Nagao Einoo Tsurugi Shrine is located on a small hill overlooking the Yatsushiro Sea (Shiranui Sea). The shrine is said to have been built in 713 by an imperial order of Emperor Motomei for the protection of the country and county.

The deity is the god of the sea, Wadatsumi-no-kami, who rides a stingray to Udo halfway across Japan. When the god rode a stingray across the Udo Peninsula, he landed on this spot on the way to the shrine, where he is said to have been enthroned. It is said that if you put a paper ema (votive tablet) folded in the shape of a stingray under the underwater torii gate, which you can cross on foot when the tide is out, your wish will come true.

【Einoo Tsurugi Shrine road approaching a shrine】

This is the approach road on the national highway side. Although the road is somewhat busy with traffic, it gradually becomes quieter as you proceed along the approach.

【Einoo Tsurugi Shrine precincts】

Unusually for a shrine, there is a ring in front of the main hall. This area seems to be a place where sumo wrestling is popular, and it is thought to be used for dedication sumo matches, but I could not find out the details.

It is a very quiet, quaint and friendly company.

This is the approach and torii gate on the ocean side. From the position of the shrine, this is the main approach. Looking back from here, you can see the ocean.

【Einoo Tsurugi Shrine Torii gate on the water】

The attraction of this shrine is the torii gate standing in the sea. The scenery changes depending on the season and time of day. I walked to the torii gate at low tide, but I would have liked to see it at high tide. There are many torii gates on the water all over Japan, but the one at Nagao Tsurugi-jinja is also nice.

Itsukushima Shrine [Hiroshima] Sakurai Shrine Futamigaura Torii [Fukuoka] Kashima Jingu Shrine [Ibaraki]

It is said that the Shiranui phenomenon, which can be seen in the Shiranui Sea at dawn in late summer, can be seen from the shrine.

Shiranui phenomenon is a mysterious fire called “Shiranui” that appears in the northern part of the Yatsushiro Sea every year before dawn on August 1 (Hassaku) of the lunar calendar. Shiranui is a type of mirage phenomenon caused by the abnormal refraction of light sources such as fishing fires and city lights on the opposite shore, due to the complex air layer caused by the warmed air during the day and radiative cooling during the night.

【Einoo Tsurugi Shrine Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Miyajitake Shrine and Okoba Station Area [Kumamoto] Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine [Kumamoto] Amemiya Shrine [Kumamoto] Tamachi Sugawara Tenmangu Shrine [Kumamoto]