On the hill overlooking the historical area of Kurashiki city is Achi Shrine, which dates back to the time of the legendary Emperor Ojin. In 1990 the shrine celebrated its 1700th anniversary. In other words, itβs ancient and the origins lost in the mists of time.
The shrineβs origins lay with the Achi clan who settled in the area and were immigrants from the continent. The main deities worshipped are the Munekata Sisters, who were the daughters of Susanoo and had strong links with Kyushu. Perhaps the Achi clan adopted them while stopping off on their migration from Korea along the Inland Sea.
Among the interesting features in the shrineβs grounds is an iwasaka group of sacred rocks. These are supposed to be the origins of the shrine, and speak of Korean shamanistic roots. The shrine pamphlet ascribes them a yin~yang presence and suggests they speak to the Chinese legendary paradise of Horai.
Elsewhere thereβs an unusual mikuji (fortune slip) arrangement centred around a mokkoku tree and split into the twelve Chinese zodiac signs. A notice board says the tree is the longest-living in the shrine grounds and associated with making good relationships. You thereby get good luck plus Chinese zodiac fortune.
from the hill are god views over Kurashiki β the reason of course the site was chosen in the first place. One of the words for shrine is miya, the same word used formerly for palaces and the residences of august princes. Perhaps here on the hill was once the palace of an Achi leader, made into a shrine after his death to honor his memory.
AloJapan.com