Komo Jinja Shrine

Overview

Komo Jinja Shrine is a Hachiman shrine located in Nakatsu City, Ōita Prefecture. Also known as Ōsada Hachiman-gū, it's believed to have been founded during the Jōwa era (834-848) and is considered the ancestral shrine of Usa Jingū, the head shrine of all Hachiman shrines nationwide. The shrine grounds feature a beautiful triangular pond known as Sankaku-ike, creating a unique layout with the main shrine considered the outer sanctuary and the pond the inner sanctuary. The pond is revered as a sacred place, and the reflected scenery is truly breathtaking. The main hall was built in the late Edo period, while the impressive gate was constructed in 1622 by Tadatsugu Hosokawa and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its intricate carvings are a sight to behold. Komo Jinja Shrine has been a center of faith since ancient times, as the ancestral shrine of Usa Jingū. Many legends and stories have been passed down through the ages. One such legend recounts that during the Hayato rebellion in Kyushu in 720 AD, the Yamato imperial army led by Ōtomo no Tabito, along with the Usa Jingū's Shinjima Habutamai, used komo (a type of rush) from the triangular pond to create komomaku (rush pillows) as divine objects. These were carried in a portable shrine to Hyūga Province to quell the rebellion. This komokari (rush-cutting) ritual is reportedly still practiced by the Shinjima clan every six years as part of the Usa Jingū gyōkōkai (procession). Komo Jinja Shrine is a place where history and nature blend harmoniously. A sacred atmosphere pervades the tranquil setting, offering a refreshing experience for both body and mind. We highly recommend a visit.