Kashima Jingu Shrine 鹿島神宮

Description

Kashima Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, the Shinto deity of thunder and martial arts. It is the head shrine of around 600 Kashima shrines across Japan and legend has it that its construction began in the seventh century BCE during the reign of Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu. Entering the shady, forested shrine precincts feels much like stepping into the past. In ancient times, Takemikazuchi no Mikoto was also worshipped as the protector of the nation, and from the medieval to early modern periods, warriors honored him as a god of victory. Because of this, the main sanctuary and many worship halls were built as offerings by military figures. Tokugawa Ieyasu dedicated the inner shrine to pay gratitude for his victory at the critical battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which led to the Tokugawa clan’s 264-year reign of Japan. Takemikazuchi no Mikoto is also worshipped for earthquake prevention. A stone in the shrine precincts is reputed to hold down the giant underground catfish that, according to a Japanese myth, causes earthquakes. A torii gate belonging to the shrine stands in the water close to the shore of Lake Kitaura. From the lake bed it is 18 meters tall, making it the tallest torii erected over water in Japan.