Aso-jinja facts for kids
Aso Shrine (阿蘇神社) is a very old and important Shinto shrine in Japan. It is located at Mount Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu. This shrine sits in the northern part of the huge bowl-shaped area (called a caldera) of an active volcano.
History of Aso Shrine
Aso Shrine has a long and rich history. In the past, it was known as the main Shinto shrine, or ichinomiya, for the old area called Higo Province. Today, it still holds this important title for Kumamoto Prefecture.
The main gods, or kami, honored at Aso Shrine include Takeiwatatsu no mikoto (健磐龍命) and other important spirits. Takeiwatatsu no mikoto is believed to be the grandson of Japan's first emperor, Emperor Jimmu.
From 1871 to 1946, Aso Shrine was officially recognized as one of the top government-supported shrines in Japan. This shows how important it was to the country.
Images for kids
-
Emperor Jimmu, who is said to be an ancestor of Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto.
-
Information about the shrine's existence can be found in the Nihon Shoki as well as several texts from China.
-
The Goddess Amaterasu is said to be the source of Takeiwatatsu-no-mikoto's divine powers, as her descendant.
-
The Daihimonjiyaki 大火文字焼き on Ojodake and Motozuka showing the kanji characters for 火 and 炎.
-
Swinging of the Hifuri at Aso Jinja, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
-
The Unari- women clad in white, walking in the gyouretsu procession in the fields of Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
-
Yabusame at Aso Jinja, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
-
Ojodake on Mt. Aso where Takeiwatatsu-no-Mikoto practised his archery.
-
The "sideways approach" of Aso shrine that connects Mt. Nakadake to Aso Shrine and Kokuzo shrine.
-
The collapsed state of the rōmon (tower) gate in Aso shrine. Repairs are expected to be completed in 2023.
-
Construction work being done on Aso shrine. The shrine was damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes.
