Silla Shrine, located on top of Mt. Choja in the center of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
[Music] Choja san shinra shrine Hachinohei city Almori prefecture this time we will visit Sila shrine located in the city’s center at top Mount Choja 45 m above sea level as the center of the Hachino Sancha festival we will tour this place which conveys the city’s history and faith to the present Hey, [Music] the shrine has three entrances. The main approach with stone steps and a stone tory gate. The north approach with a rocky slope for men and a staircase for women on the side. And the south approach which is accessible by car of a paved slope. At the top of the south approach is the Sakura no baraba cherry blossom horse field. And further on is the parking lot. [Music] [Applause] [Music] The shrine grounds are a large plateau on top of a mountain and aligned with large trees such as cedars, cherry blossoms, and willows. Once you pass through the Tory gate, you will come across a chosier purification fountain on your left. Then on your right, you will come across a gift shop. Please stop by after praying. I visited on August 2nd, which was the middle day of the Hatchino Sancha Festival. The costumes from the Shinra shrine procession were hanging out to dry. [Music] During the Edeto period in 1678, the second lord of Hachino Nandu, Lord Namasa, founded the shrine on top of Mount Choja as a place of protection for the lord and to pray for bountiful harvests, peace and safety for the people and good health within the domain. It has been the main guardian deity directly under the domain and has been highly revered by successive lords. It is also said that Yoshisun’s retainers Itabashi Choji and Casata were ordered by Yoshitsune to prepare a residence for Yoshitsune by clearing away firewood and planting trees to prevent people from entering the area without permission. And there is also a legend about Yoshisun’s northern origins that says that the area was once called Chojyama. [Music] The main deities of Shinra shrine are Suzanu no Mikoto and Silasaburo Minimoto no Yoshi Mitsu no Mikoto. Suzanu is enshrined not only in the main shrine but also at Yusaka shrine on the eastern foot of the mountain. With the establishment of the shrine system in 1869, the shrine was renamed Shinra Shrine and Silasaburo Minimoto no Yoshimsu no Mikoto is now enshrined as the main deity. This is the worship hall. A three-bay gable roof style building is rare and is the only one of its kind in the city found at Kashibiki Hatchman Shrine and Shindra Shrine. [Music] There is a plaque reading Sindler shrine at the front and a plaque reading Chisan on the right. Inside the worship hall there are plaques reading Sila Shrine, Yasaka Shrine and Compira. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Behind the worship hall is the main hall. Both the worship hall and the main hall are designated as perfeural cultural properties. The main hall is built in a three- bay gabled style with a metal roof and features gorgeously colored patterns around the pillars and front door. [Music] This is Choja Sanriama Shikona. According to its history, it was built on the occasion of Japan’s independence in April 1952 to enshrine the 3,026 war dead, including the fifth generation of Namboo loyalists, those who died in the SinoJapanese and Russo-Japanese wars, the Manurian China incident, and World War II. This is also a shrine within the precincts, Takami Shrine. The same gods as Horioan and Agami shrine are enshrined here. This is called Sanken Hakurin. And it seems that a dragon god was enshrined on this mountain. There are also toadama shrine, Anamori shrine, Anari shrine and many stone shrines and caution towers. This monument commemorates Emperor Magi’s visit to the Tohoko region in 1881 when he watched a horse riding ball game on Mount Choja. [Music] [Applause] The Hatchino Sanchez Grand Festival held every year in early August and designated as an important and tangible folk cultural property of Japan began as a portable shrine procession festival to pray for a good harvest following a poor harvest in 172. 20 the fifth year of the Kohho era. The following year in 1721, the sixth year of the Kho era, permission was obtained from the Hachino domain to process the portable shrine to Sin Shrine, marking the beginning of the festival. In addition, on the middle day of August 2nd, you can see the Kagami Ruka Daku mounted ball performance, a rare event held at Sakura Noa, a prefecture designated intangible folk cultural property. [Music] Hachino kiba daku began with Kagami Jiro Tomitsu, the fourth generation grandson of Silisaburo Minimoto no Yoshimitsu, the ancestor of the Hachino Nambu domain and has been passed down through the Hachino Nambu domain. Eight mountain warriors divided into red and white teams compete to skillfully control their horses and scoop up balls with their bats, then throw them into the red and white targets. The event is currently preserved at Hatchino Yamagata Prefecture Horetsu Shrine and the Imperial Household Agency. [Music] [Applause] Additionally, to pray for a good harvest, a dedication performance of the traditional performing art, Enbury, is held every year on February 17th. Enbururi comes from the action of rubbing the Eber, a farm tool used to level rice fields, and dancers called tea, wearing ebushi hats shaped like horse heads, perform a silent yet heroic dance early in the morning in February, which is said to be the coldest month of the year. It has been designated a nationally important intangible folk cultural property in a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Yama Hoko and Yatai festival events [Music] shrine conveys the history and culture of Hatchinh as well as the faith of its people. If you are visiting Kachanohhe, be sure to visit this quiet yet powerful place. Thank you for watching. We’ll keep introducing amazing places, so please subscribe. See you on the next trip. [Music]
Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. This time, we will visit Sinla Shrine, located in the city’s center, atop Mt. Choja, 45 meters above sea level. As the center of the Hachinohe Sansha Festival and Hachinohe Enburi, both designated as Important Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan, we will tour this place, which conveys the city’s history and faith to the present day. We will also be able to see the Kagami-ryu Kiba-dakyu, a rare prefectural designated intangible folk cultural property held at Sakuranobaba.
Whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time or want to learn more about Japanese culture, this guide will help you visit with peace of mind. Experience the profound depth of the shrines and temples that are found everywhere in Japan, and enjoy your spiritual journey through Japan!
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