Nanasha-jinja Shrine has long been dedicated as the guardian of Nishigahara Village, and was the shrine of Eiichi Shibusawa. The shrine was founded in 1793 (Kansei 5) by a fire that destroyed old documents and records, and its history is unknown. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the shrine was located on a hill in the precincts of Muryōji Temple, in what is now the old Furukawa Garden, but was moved to its present location at the beginning of the Meiji period (1868-1912), following the separation of Shinto and Buddhism.
The seven deities are Izanagi no Mikoto, Izanami no Mikoto, Amenokoyane no Mikoto, Issokoridome no Mikoto, Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, Emperor Nakai, and Emperor Ojin, which is the origin of the name Nanashajinja. Emperor Chuai, Emperor Ojin, and seven other emperors.
It is located one street back from the main street, so it has a quiet and pleasant atmosphere.
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine cogon grass ring (i.e., thatching ring)】
A thatch ring had just been set up along the approach to the shrine. This is a symbolic event of the summer purification ceremony in which people pass through a ring several meters in diameter woven of thatch to purify their bodies and minds, drive away bad luck, and pray for good health and good fortune.
To pass through the chigiwa, pass through it once, turn left, turn right a second time, and pass through it three times to enter the hall of worship.
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine precincts Safe delivery of children】
Just to the left of the torii gate is a vertebra with a swollen, pregnant woman-like appearance. It is said to be beneficial for childbirth and safe delivery.
Ema (votive picture tablet) on which wishes are written are tied around the sacred ginkgo tree, Gankake Icho. The ginkgo tree is a symbol of fertility because it bears many fruits, and it is a sacred tree typical of this shrine.
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine Worship hall and guardian dogs】
Nanashajinja Shrine is also famous for its prayers for children, and Komainu (small dogs) protect children. This is thought to be due to the fact that the shrine is dedicated to Izanaki-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto.
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine precincts】
There is a nice atmosphere between the worship hall and the shrine office with chairs for resting.
Other facilities include a splendid dance hall, a shrine for the ancestors, an Inari shrine, a Kumano shrine, a pox shrine, a Sugawara shrine, a Mimine shrine, a statue of Confucius, a statue of Mencius, and a stone for hardening the teeth.
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine GOSHUIN】
【Nanasha-jinja Shrine Nearby attractions】
Asukayama Park, Paper Museum, Asukayama Museum, Shibusawa Museum, Old Shibusawa Garden, Asuka-no Shokei
Asuka-no Shokei (hydrangea season) [Tokyo]【Nanasha-jinja Shrine Access】
Manager’s Comments
It is not so big, but it is a pleasant shrine with a lot of greenery. Jomon and Yayoi pottery, known as shell mounds, and earthenware have been excavated from the shrine grounds, and it is said that there was a settlement of ancient people there. There were relatively many worshippers, and I thought it was a good old-fashioned shrine loved by the locals. There are many places of interest, and I would like to visit the shrine again, as the scenery is different in spring, summer, fall, and winter.
2-11-1 Nishigahara, Kita-ku, Tokyo 114-0024, Japan
※Parking lot for worshippers available