Shinto shrine
A is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more ''kami'', the deities of the Shinto religion.
Overview
Structurally, a Shinto shrine typically comprises several buildings.
The '' honden''Also called (本殿, meani ...
Hachiman
In Japanese religion, ''Yahata'' (八幡神, ancient Shinto pronunciation) formerly in Shinto and later commonly known as Hachiman (八幡神, Japanese Buddhist pronunciation) is the syncretic divinity of archery and war, incorporating elements f ...
. It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated to
Inari Ōkami
, also called , is the Japanese ''kami'' of foxes, fertility, rice, tea and sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto. In earlier Japan, Inari was also the patron of swor ...
(see Inari shrine). There are about 44,000 Hachiman shrines.
Originally the name 八幡 was read ''Yawata'' or ''Yahata'', a reading still used in some cases. Many towns and cities incorporating the names ''Hachiman'', ''Yawata'' or ''Yahata'' grew around these shrines.
Famous Hachiman shrines
The following four shrines are often grouped into groups of three, either as Usa-Iwashimizu-Hakozaki or Usa-Iwashimizu-Tsurugaoka, and both of these groupings are known as the Three Major Hachiman Shrines of Japan ().
* Usa Jingū ( Usa, Ōita), the Sōhonsha (head shrine)
* Iwashimizu Hachimangū ( Yawata, Kyoto)
*
Hakozaki Shrine
is a Shintō shrine in Fukuoka .Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1962). ''Studies in Shinto and Shrines,'' p. 339.
History
Hakozaki Shrine was founded in 923, with the transfer of the spirit of the ''kami Hachiman'' from Daibu Hachiman Shrine in ...
Kamakura
is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Kamakura has an estimated population of 172,929 (1 September 2020) and a population density of 4,359 persons per km² over the total area of . Kamakura was designated as a city on 3 November 1939.
Kamak ...
)
Other notable Hachiman shrines
*
Fukuyama Hachimangū
Fukuyama Hachimangū (福山八幡宮, ''Fukuyama Hachimangū'') is a Shinto shrine located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. The kami it enshrines include Emperor Ōjin, Empress Jin ...
Hakodate Hachiman Shrine
is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of July 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 279,851 with 143,221 households, and a population density of 412.83 ...
Hatogamine Hachiman Shrine
is a Shintō shrine in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. In the former Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines, it was classified as a district shrine (郷社, ''gōsha'').
History
Hatogamine Hachiman Shrine is believed to date to 921 AD as ...
Iino Hachimangū
Iino Hachimangū (飯野八幡宮, ''Iino Hachimangū'') is a Shinto shrine located in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. The shrine was founded in either 1063 or 1186, and its annual fest ...
Sendai
is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Miyagi Prefecture, the largest city in the Tōhoku region. , the city had a population of 1,091,407 in 525,828 households, and is one of Japan's 20 Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, desig ...
, Miyagi)
*
Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine
Shiraoi Hachiman Shrine (白老八幡神社, ''Shiraoi Hachiman jinja'') is a Shinto shrine located in Shiraoi, Hokkaido at 白老郡白老町本町1丁目1番11号. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman, and its annual festival ...
Shiroyama Hachimangū
, also known as ''Shiroyama Hakusan'', is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nagoya, central Japan.
History
The shrine is located on the premises of the ruined Suemori Castle. The castle itself dates back to the 16th century. The shrine hos ...
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine
is the largest Hachiman shrine in Tokyo.
History
The shrine was established in Fukagawa in with reclamation of a shoal. Hachiman, whom the shrine reveres, was also a local kami of the Minamoto clan, thus the shrine received cordial protection ...
Tamukeyama Hachiman Shrine
is a Shinto shrine near Tōdai-ji, Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. It was established in 749. Kami enshrined here include Emperor Ojin, Emperor Nintoku, Empress Jingū and Emperor Chūai in a ...
Suginami
is a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. The ward refers to itself as Suginami City in English.
As of June 1, 2022, Suginami has an estimated population of 588,354 and a population density of 17,274 persons per km2. The total area is 34.06 km2 ...
Sapporo Hachimangū
Sapporo Hachimangū (札幌八幡宮, ''Sapporo Hachimangū'') is a Shinto shrine located in Sapporo, Hokkaido. It is a Hachiman shrine, dedicated to the kami Hachiman. It was established in 1977. Kami enshrined here include Tenjin (天満大神 ...
Saipan
Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...