Matsuho Shrine: A Hachiman Shrine on Awaji Island
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.3
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- Japan
- Primary era
- Medieval
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Ashikaga shogunate
- Site type
- Religious
- Remains
- Sanctuary
On this page5 sections
History
Foundation and Transfer
Matsuho Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Awaji City, Japan, dedicated principally to Hachiman Okami, a deity associated with protection, warfare, and the imperial tradition. It serves as a tutelary shrine for the Higashiura area and the mountain district of Oda on Awaji Island.
Its foundation is traditionally connected with Yoshikawa Yaroku, a retainer of Kusunoki Masashige. During the Battle of Minatogawa in 1336, a conflict between supporters of Emperor Go-Daigo and the Ashikaga regime, Yoshikawa was entrusted with a sacred object associated with Hachiman Okami. He fled by sea to Awaji Island and built a small shrine in the mountains.
The mountain shrine became associated with protection from misfortune and the fulfillment of prayers. In 1399, it was moved to the Kuruma estate, where the present shrine stands, and became the village guardian shrine known as Hachimangu. A Hachimangu is a shrine dedicated to Hachiman.
Renaming and Recent History
In 1881, the shrine received the name Matsuho Shrine. The name refers to Matsuho-no-Ura, the historical name of the beach surrounding the shrine.
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake of 1995 severely damaged the shrine, including the buildings and the torii on the approach. Repairs and rebuilding followed with substantial donations from parishioners, neighborhood associations, prominent local individuals, and companies.
The shrine’s largest annual observance is its autumn grand festival, held on the first Sunday of October. In 2019, ceremonies marked the emperor’s accession and reported the change of era from Heisei to Reiwa to Hachiman Okami. A further grand commemorative festival took place on October 6 to mark the accession and the shrine’s 620th anniversary. The parishioner districts are mainly made up of neighborhood associations from the former Higashiura Town, along with some areas formerly belonging to Awaji Town and Hokudan Town.
Remains
Coastal Shrine Precinct
Matsuho Shrine stands in the Kuruma area on the northeastern coast of Awaji Island, beside Osaka Bay. Its shrine buildings occupy the present site associated with the former Kuruma estate, while the surrounding coast retains the historical association with Matsuho-no-Ura. The buildings and the torii on the approach were heavily damaged in the 1995 earthquake and were subsequently repaired or rebuilt.
