Washibara Hachimangu is a couple of kilometers outside of the town center of Tsuwano, so doesnt get as many visitors, which is a shame as its quite a beautiful shrine, especially in the cherry blossom season.
The thatched gate is very unusual.
The shrine was founded in the 13th century when Tsuwano castle was first built.
The kami, Hachiman, is the god of war and the protective deity of the samurai.
The shrine does get hundreds of visitors in early April when Yabusame, horseback archery, is performed. In the grounds of the shrine are the only remaining yabusame grounds from the kamakura period.
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I was lucky to catch Yabusame here, way back when...
ReplyDeleteI believe I've been to this very shrine. Would there be shrine inside some sort of protective building nearby?
ReplyDeleteHi Dan... yes there is..... more on that in a later post
ReplyDeleteThis is quite an impressive shrine! Love the last photo. Your posts make me want to see more of Japan, especially the out of the way places. Thank you.
ReplyDelete