Katori Jingu

Katori Jingu is the Ichinomiya (the first shrine) of the Shimosa Province, located in Katori City, Chiba Prefecture, and serves as the head shrine of about 400 Katori shrines across the country. It is said to have been established in the 18th year of Emperor Jimmu (643 BC) and is considered one of Japan's oldest shrines with a rich history. Before the Meiji period, only three shrines—Ise, Kashima, and Katori—were granted the title of "Jingu," which has been regarded as a mark of distinction since ancient times. The shrine grounds are protected as Chiba Prefecture's designated natural monument, "Katori no Mori," encompassing sacred trees over a thousand years old and a tranquility that has persisted since ancient times, enveloping all visitors.

⚔️ Main Deity: Futsunushi no O-kami
Futsunushi no O-kami is a martial deity in Japanese mythology who, following the divine order of Amaterasu, traveled to Izumo with Takemikazuchi no O-kami of Kashima Shrine to subdue the land from Onamuchi no Kami. From this myth, Katori Jingu has long been honored as a god for:
• National protection
• The ancestral god of martial arts and military prowess
• Success in battle and disaster prevention
In dojos of martial arts, the scrolls of “Kashima Daimyōjin” and “Katori Daimyōjin” are displayed as a pair, symbolizing their identities as the primal gods of Japanese martial arts. Additionally, it gathers a wide following throughout the nation as a center for all Katori shrines, fulfilling various wishes such as household safety, prosperity in industry, maritime protection, safe childbirth, matchmaking, and the realization of heartfelt desires.

🏛 Prestige and Historical Role
Katori Jingu has received significant veneration from the imperial family since ancient times, and in the Heian period, it was listed as a "Meishin Taisha" (major shrine) in the "Engishiki," the highest rank. During the medieval period, it became a guardian deity for Shimosa Province as its Ichinomiya and was designated as a "Kanpei Taisha" after the Meiji Restoration. In Showa 17, it was recognized as a "Chokushi-sha," where an imperial envoy would attend on behalf of the Emperor. This prominent shrine has been deeply involved in both the spiritual and political culture of Japan's history.

🏺 Richness of Cultural Assets and Treasures (over 200 cultural assets)
Katori Jingu boasts an exquisite quality and quantity of treasures, exceeding 200 items that are designated as cultural properties by the prefecture.
■ National Treasure "Sea Beast Grapevine Mirror"
Designated as a national treasure in Showa 28. It is a finely crafted silver mirror counted among Japan's top three famous mirrors, engraved with designs of lions, kirin, and phoenixes. It is the only national treasure artifact in Chiba Prefecture.
■ Important Cultural Property "Ancient Seto Komainu"
This Seto ware from the Kamakura period has been adopted as a design for the 250 yen postage stamp and is highly regarded.
■ Main Shrine (Important Cultural Property)
Constructed in 1700 by the Tokugawa shogunate, it features a hinoki bark roof and is a fine example of shrine architecture, blending the beauty of natural wood with the grandeur of the Genroku period.
■ Gate (Important Cultural Property)
Also built in 1700, this vibrant vermillion gate exemplifies pure Japanese style, housing an 神額 (shrine plaque) written by Admiral Togo Heihachiro and statues of attendant deities (Takeuchi Sukune and Fujiwara no Kamatari).

🌲 A Divine Realm Merging Nature and Faith
The shrine grounds encompass "Katori no Mori," preserved since ancient times, creating a spiritual realm where tranquility and sacredness coexist.
● Three-Branch Cedar
It is popular as a symbol of wish fulfillment, bearing a legend that it split into three upon the prayer of Minamoto no Yoriyoshi.
● Kaname Stone
A sacred stone said to hold down the tail of a giant catfish that causes earthquakes, it complements the Kaname stone at Kashima Shrine, which holds down the head.

🎎 Festivals of Katori Jingu
■ Shinko-sai (April 15 annually)
An elegant festival with a tradition spanning over 800 years, featuring around 200 parishioners in Heian-era attire forming a procession.
■ Shikinen Shinkosai (once every 12 years, in the year of the horse)
The largest festival in Chiba Prefecture, characterized by:
• A procession of thousands of parishioners
• A boat ride along the Tone River from the Torii riverside on ceremonial boats
• A stay at a temporary lodging in Sawara
This festival boasts a rare grandeur among aquatic Shinto rituals nationwide.

💫 Spread of Worship for Katori no O-kami
The veneration of Katori no O-kami has also spread to other shrines such as Kasuga-taisha (Nara) and Shiogama Shrine (Miyagi), where it is revered as a martial god and protector deity across various regions in Japan. In modern times, it is supported by a wide range of visitors, including martial artists, fishermen, businesspeople, and families, as a deity of victory, safety, and guidance.

✨ Summary: A Special Shrine at the Heart of Japan's History, Martial Arts, and Faith
Katori Jingu embodies:
• Legends of founding rooted in Japanese mythology
• Deep veneration from the imperial family
• A symbol of martial virtue and national protection
• A treasure trove of cultural assets adorned with national and important cultural properties
• A divine realm where ancient nature remains intact
• Traditional festivals that have lasted over a millennium
All these elements combine to make it one of the most prestigious and historically significant shrines in Japan. Each visit resonates with profound history and sanctity, making it a beloved special location for many.