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Shinto shrine in Japan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hotaka Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Hotaka, Azumino, Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.[1][2][3][4][5] It is one of the three main shrines in Shinano Province. The Engishiki Jinmyocho describes it as a Myojin Taisha and it is now a Beppyo shrine.
![]() | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Japanese. (December 2023) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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Hotaka Shrine | |
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Religion | |
Affiliation | Shinto |
Deity | all the deities of its province,
Utsushihikanasaku , Watatsumi |
Type | Sōja shrine |
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It is a Sōja shrine. It enshrines all the kami of the shrines in Shinano Province. Whenever a new governor of Shinano Province was appointed he would be sent to the shrine to worship all the gods of the province.[6]
Ichinomiya and Soja are not the same thing but were sometimes combined.[7] In this case the Suwa-taisha is the Province's Ichinomiya.[8][9][10][11]
Many people pray here before hiking in the Japanese Alps.[1] It is located near Mount Hotakadake, a major Japanese mountain.[12]
The shrine is near Hotaka Station, and located in a Chinju no Mori or sacred forest full of Japanese cedar and pine trees.[1][13]
Two main gods are important here. The sea god Watatsumi, and his son, Hotakami no Mikoto (Utsushihikanasaku ) the tutelary deity of the Azumi people.[1][13][14] and their ancestor.[15] Hotakami no Mikoto is said to have descended to earth on the nearby Mount Hotakadake.[16]
The shrine was founded by Azumi people who migrated from Kyushu.[1][13] The migrants searched extensively across Japan until they eventually found the Azumino valley and settled there, giving up their nautical lifestyle for an agricultural one.[1][13] This is why the shrine worships the sea gods Watatsumi and Hotakami despite being inland.[1][13] It is an agriculturally focused shrine.[1]
In 927 it was listed as a Myojin Taisha of the Engishiki Jinmyocho.[17] It was well known across Japan in the tenth century.[1]
The shrine has several buildings:
The buildings are rebuilt every twenty years in the process of Sengu. This keeps old building methods alive.[1]
There is also a museum of local culture on the premises.[1]
At the Hotaka Shrine in Azumino City, there is an annual festival at which people express their gratitude for the gift of water. In the city, there is a traditional spot in which all three rivers (Azusa, Karasu and Nakabusa), as well as the water from the melted snow of Kamikochi's mountains, meet. Kamikochi mountain holds a great significance to the Azumi people as the water which flowed down this mountain was once used to irrigate their crops.[18] Using this water, the people of Japan perform the rituals known as "Omizu-tori" (taking water) and "Omizu-gaeshi" (returning water), whereby the water is deemed to rightfully return to the Myojin Pond.[18] During this celebration, the Azumi People commemorate their direct connection to water and their gratitude for it as it has always assisted them – both in their history as skilful seafarers and crop farmers.[19]
The Myojin Pond in Kamikochi, Japan attracts both traditional descendants of the Azumi people, as well as tourists. It has a clear, mirror-like reflection, and is classified as one of the most revered places to worship the deities of the Azumi people.[20]
Today, the Myojin Pond accommodates many visitors as the water that lays within is a reminder of the culture, tradition, and history of the Azumi people.[21]
The shrine has many branch shrines across the region.[4] some include
Every year, there is a big festival. The festival celebrates local gods and the sea.[1]
The Shrine has an Ofune Matsuri , or ship festival every September.[1][22]
Obisha Matsuri is held every March.[1][23] Priests shoot arrows at targets. It is said if they accurately hit the target there will be a good harvest.[23] Visitors take the arrows home with them for good luck.[23]
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