Hiratsuka Shrine [Tokyo]

【Hiratsuka Shrine Summary】

Hiratsuka Shrine is said to have been founded between 1118 and 1120 (the Gen’ei era) in the late Heian period. Its origin stems from the Heian period when Toyoshima Chikayoshi built a castle (Hiratsuka Castle) on this site. On his triumphant return from the Oshu campaign, Minamoto no Yoshiie visited this place and bestowed a suit of armor upon the local lord, Toyoshima Chikayoshi. Toyoshima Chikayoshi buried the armor he received in a sacred spot, built a mound over it, and enshrined it as the guardian deity of his castle. This mound was called the “Armor Mound” (Kachūzuka), but because it was not very tall, it also came to be known as “Flat Mound” (Hiratsuka), which became the origin of the place name. Later, Toyoshima Chikayoshi built a shrine and enshrined the three brothers—Yoshikage, his younger brother Minamoto no Yoshitsuna, and Minamoto no Yoshimitsu—as the “Hiratsuka Sanko Daimyojin” (Three Great Deities of Hiratsuka), praying for the prosperity of his clan.

Furthermore, during the Muromachi period, Lord Toyoshima clashed with the Uesugi clan, who sought to dominate the Kantō region, and his castle fell after being attacked by Ōta Dōkan, a vassal of the Uesugi. The entire area, including Hiratsuka Shrine and the former Koga Garden, is believed to have been the site of Hiratsuka Castle.

旧古河庭園【東京都】

The enshrined deities are the three brothers: Minamoto no Yoshie (Hachiman Taro), Minamoto no Yoshitsuna, and Minamoto no Yoshimitsu.

【Hiratsuka Shrine worshipper’s path】

It’s a straight and splendid worshipper’s path, but it’s been turned into a parking lot… It’s quite disappointing. Sad…

Without a car…

【Hiratsuka Shrine building】

The guardian dogs in front of the worship hall appear to be carved from rock, giving them a dynamic feel. The prominent shrine crest was a “five-ribbed fan with a moon circle.”

The roof, mikoshi storage, lanterns, and offering boxes all bear the divine crest of “a five-ribbed fan with a full moon.” *Note: The family crest of the Satake clan, descendants of the Yoshimitsu branch of the Minamoto clan (descendants of Minamoto no Yoshimitsu, youngest son of Minamoto no Yoshiyori), is identical.

【Hiratsuka Shrine Sub-shrine】

Within the grounds are the Sugawara Shrine, Inari Shrine, and Ishimuro Shrine.

【Hiratsuka Shrine GOSHUIN】

【Hiratsuka Shrine Nearby attractions】

Asukayama Park, Asuka Path, Shichisha Shrine, Former Furukawa Garden, Myōgi Shrine

Asuka-no Shokei (hydrangea season) [Tokyo]

Nanasha-jinja Shrine [Tokyo]

旧古河庭園【東京都】

妙義神社【東京都】

【Hiratsuka Shrine Access】

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Naruko Tenjinja Shrine [Tokyo] Ana Hachimangu Shrine [Tokyo] Oji Inari Shrine and Meishu no Taki Park [Tokyo] Shinagawa Shrine [Tokyo]