Isasumi Shrine (Iwashiro Province Ichinomiya Shrine) [Fukushima]

Isasumi Shrine is so old that it is mentioned in the Kojiki, and was founded around 560 AD. In 88 B.C., Obiko-no-mikoto and Ken-no-kawabetsu-mikoto, who are said to have existed, were sent to the Hokuriku and Tokaido provinces as one of the four provincial generals, respectively. Later, for the protection of the nation, they dedicated the ancestral deities Izanagi and Izanami to Amatsutake near the border of Fukushima and Niigata prefectures. The shrine grounds are located on the left bank of the Miya River, a tributary of the Agano River, and there is an Iris Garden by the parking lot on the south side of the torii gate. The shrine also holds the “Otaue Festival,” one of the three rice planting ceremonies in Japan and a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural property, as well as the Iris Festival in June.

The deities are Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Ohiko no Mikoto (Ohiko no Mikoto, son of the 8th Emperor Kogen), and Takenuma Kawawake no Mikoto (Takenu Kawawake, son of Ohiko no Mikoto).

【Isasumi Shrine summary】

There are stalls on the approach to the temple, creating a nice atmosphere. Once you pass through the large torii gate, you are greeted by numerous wind chimes. The pleasant sound of the wind chimes seemed as if they were playing a prayer to the gods, creating a very sacred atmosphere.

All the statues on the tower gate were wonderful.

【Isasumi Shrine temporary shrine (houses the object in which the deity resides when main shrine is under repairs)】

According to records, the shrine has been destroyed by fire six times in the past 2000 years. Most recently, the shrine building, which was constructed in the Meiji period (1868-1912), was destroyed by fire in the Heisei period (1926-1989), and remains in a temporary state with the foundation still intact. There is a movement to rebuild the shrine, but it is said that it is difficult to raise funds. I have dropped as much money as I could. I pray that it will be rebuilt soon.

【Isasumi Shrine Usuzumi cherry (Prunus incisa)】

Estimated to be about 120 years old (the largest existing tree), it is a single cherry tree and a sacred tree. It is a natural monument of Aizu Misato Town, and there is no other variety of cherry tree of the same species. I would like to see it again during the cherry blossom season.

【Isasumi Shrine Tenkai Daiososho Oteuue no Hinoki (Great Priestess Tenkai’s Hinoki)】

It is said that the tree was planted by High Priest Tenkai to pray for his mother’s recovery from illness. *Tenkai High Priest: A native of Aizu, he served as a close aide to Tokugawa Ieyasu for three generations.

The tree is estimated to be more than 450 years old and is a huge tree with a trunk circumference of approximately 5 meters. My personal impression is that I was more attracted by the overwhelming presence of this tree than by the worship hall.

【Isasumi Shrine Autumn leaves for marriage】

There is a tree with autumn leaves growing close to a cypress tree planted by the high priest Tenkai.

The tree is a binary tree with two trunks that become one trunk, and is considered a sacred tree for marriage because of the combination of the tree’s shape and the divine virtues of the deity.

It grew like a tube and was a very strange tree.

【Isasumi Shrine Wisteria of the flying dragon and the bad luck cracker】

In front of the Yakuwari Stone is the Hiryu wisteria. The tree is over 300 years old and is a natural monument of Fukui Prefecture. It is likened to a dragon soaring to the heavens, giving it a sense of power.

To drive away evil spirits and to bring people together. Isasumi Shrine is famous as the “Shrine of Marriage in Aizu” because it enshrines Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto, the husband and wife deities of Izanagi no Mikoto and Izanami no Mikoto. The cost is 300 yen per throw. It was also held at Sumiyoshi Shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

住吉神社【山口県】

【Isasumi Shrine GOSHUIN】

【Isasumi Shrine Nearby attractions】

Tsuruga Castle, Sazae Temple, Aizu Buke Yashiki

Tsuruga Castle [Fukushima]

Sazae Temple [Fukushima]

Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine [Fukushima]

【Isasumi Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

Isasumi Shrine is not only a place of worship for local people with many sights to see and seasonal events, but also a tourist spot to enjoy history, culture, and natural attractions. The shrine has a very nice atmosphere with a lot of natural woods and a calm atmosphere.

scenery

 (4)

ambience

 (4)

access

 (2.5)

my opinion

 (3.5)

Isasumi Shrine

4377 Miyabayashi-kou, Aizumisato-cho, Onuma-gun, Fukushima 969-6263

※Free parking available

Approx. 10 minutes by car from “Aizu-Takada Station” of JR Tadami Line

About 25 minutes on foot from “Aizu Takada Station” of JR Tadami Line

参考

伊佐須美神社公式サイト | 岩代国一之宮・会津総鎮守

伊佐須美神社 | 会津美里町