Iwa Shrine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iwa Shrine 伊和神社
Haiden of Iwa Shrine
Religion
Affiliation	Shinto
Deity	Ōkuninushi
Festival	October 15
Location
Location	407 Ichinomiya-chō Sugyōme, Shisō-shi, Hyōgo-ken 671-4133
Location in Hyogo Prefecture Show map of Hyogo Prefecture Location in Japan Show map of Japan
Glossary of Shinto

Iwa Jinja (伊和神社) is an important Shinto shrine located in the city of Shisō in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. It was once known as the ichinomiya, which means it was the most important shrine in the old Harima Province. Every year, a big festival is held at the shrine on October 15.

Gods Honored at Iwa Shrine

At Iwa Jinja, people worship special gods or spirits called kami. The kami honored here are:

• Ōkuninushi (大己貴神)
• Sukunabikona (少彦名神)
• Shitateru-hime no kami (下照姫神)

History of Iwa Shrine

We don't know exactly when Iwa Jinja was first built. An old book from the Harima region, called the fudoki, says it was during the time of ancient emperors like Emperor Seimu or Emperor Kinmei. The shrine's name comes from a sound made by Ōkuninushi, one of the gods, when he finished building the country.

Iwa Shrine is even mentioned in a very old book from the early Heian period called the Engishiki. From the end of the Heian period, it was known as the most important shrine, or ichinomiya, in its province.

Even though the shrine was sometimes damaged or destroyed by fire, it was always rebuilt. Important leaders and families, like the Akamatsu clan, helped pay for the repairs. After a big change in Japan called the Meiji Restoration, Iwa Shrine was recognized as an important national shrine in 1871.

Near the shrine, about 400 meters away, there is an ancient burial mound called the Hitotsuyama Kofun. This mound is from the Kofun period and is a special historical site in Hyōgo Prefecture.

Gallery

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  Torii, a traditional gate at the entrance of a Shinto shrine.

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  Honden, the main hall where the kami are enshrined.

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  Heiden, the hall of offerings.

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  Haiden, the hall of worship.

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  Tsuruishi, a sacred stone.

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  Another view of Tsuruishi.

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  Kagura stage, used for sacred dances.

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  Shine office, where shrine affairs are managed.

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  North Gate of the shrine.

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  West Gate of the shrine.

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  The main entrance to Iwa Shrine.

See also

• Ichinomiya