Kotohira Shrine

Kotohira Shrine is located on Mount Zozu in the town of Kotohira in Nakatado County, Kagawa Prefecture. Formerly it ranked as an intermediate national shrine. Enshrined are the deity Omono-Nushi-no-Mikoto and Emperor Sutoku. It was built in 1001, according to shrine records. In ancient times the deity was called Zozu-san Konpira Daigongen, with “Konpira” being the Chinese transliteration of the Sanskrit “Kumbhira,” Kumbhira being a deification of a crocodile living in the Ganges River. Kompira was the patron deity of Konko-in Matsuo Temple, a temple associated with Kotohira Shrine. The deity came to be named Konpira Daigongen as a result of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, and the shrine became a site for prayers for maritime safety and rescue, as well as for rain. In the Muromachi period (1392–1507), belief in the shrine spread owing to the development of maritime traffic on the Seto Inland Sea and the activity of Shiwaku Archipelago naval forces. From the Edo period (1603–1867) on, belief in Konpira spread as various regions came to practice ceremonial transfer of tutelary deities), Konpira pilgrimages organized by Konpira confraternities reached the zenith of their popularity. Travel guides such as Konpira sankei meisho zue (Illustrated Guide to Famous Locations on a Konpira Pilgrimage) were published, and the town district in front of the gates to the shrine flourished as well. Mount Zozu, where the shrine is located, is lined with magnificent shrine buildings, including the Omote-shoin (Main Drawing Room), Shikyaku-mon (Four-Legged Gate), Oku-shoin (Inner Drawing Room), and Asahi-no-Yashiro (Sunrise Shrine), which have been designated Important Cultural Properties. These buildings house many cultural treasures, such as works of calligraphy and paintings by literati who stayed at the Konko-in Temple. On the expansive grounds there are torii gates, stone lanterns, marker stones, a cobblestone path, and stone fences, donated by Konpira confraternities from various regions throughout Japan. The major Konpira festival, held annually from October 9th through 11th and referred to as Otonin-sama, is famous for gorgeous procession of its togyo ceremony (in which the object of worship is transferred). Other festivals that have been passed down include the Cherry Blossom Festival on April 10, and the Rice-Planting Festival on April 15, and observances such as playing a game of kemari (juggling a ball in the air).