Setagaya Hachiman-gu Shrine

Overview

Setagaya Hachiman-gu Shrine, located in Miyasaka 1-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, is a shrine with a former ranking of village shrine (gosha). Tradition holds that its origins lie in Minamoto no Yoshiie's stay here during his return from the Gosannen War. After encountering a heavy rainstorm, he took shelter and enshrined a sacred object from Usa Hachiman-gu Shrine in Buzen Province. Later, the seventh lord of Setagaya Castle, Kira Yorikazu, rebuilt the shrine in 1546 (Tenbun era), contributing to its further development. The grounds feature a sumo ring and power stones (chikaraishi), remnants of the Edo period when the shrine hosted one of the three major sumo wrestling events in the Edo suburbs. This tradition continues today with an annual sacred sumo match by the Tokyo University of Agriculture's sumo club during the autumn festival. The shrine also boasts a Fujizuka, a miniature replica of Mount Fuji designated as a tangible folk cultural property of Tokyo, a testament to the Edo period's unique mountain worship. Fujizuka were popular substitutes for climbing the actual Mount Fuji, allowing commoners to participate in the mountain's sacred traditions. Setagaya Hachiman-gu Shrine offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for those seeking respite from the bustling city. The grounds are shaded by centuries-old trees, providing beautiful scenery throughout the year. The shrine office (shamusho) offers amulets (omamori) and charms (goshuin).