Ōkunitama Shrine


Ōkunitama Shrine is a shrine located in Fuchū, Tokyo, Japan. Six shrines in Musashi province were consolidated and their gods enshrined there. Ōkunitama is now known as one of the five major shrines in Tokyo, the others being the Tokyo Great Shrine, Yasukuni Shrine, Hie Shrine and Meiji Shrine.

General description

Within the shrine complex, there are many buildings and points of interest. The main shrine buildings are in an walled inner complex protected by an inner and outer gate. The main shrine is dedicated to Ōkuninushi. In addition, the main shrine is also an amalgamation of branches of the six main shrines from around Musashi Province:
In addition, the main shrine complex is surrounded by seven smaller subsidiary shrines. These are Matsuo Shrine, Tatsumi Shrine, Tōshōguu Shrine, Sumiyoshi Shrine, Ōwashi Shrine, Miyanome Shrine and an Inari shrine. There is also a sumo ring and a Russo-Japanese War memorial, as well as the remains of the former Musashi provincial office.

History

According to the shrine’s legend, it was established on 5 May in the 41st year of the reign of Emperor Keikō, which corresponds to 111 AD in the western calendar. The offspring of Noomiame-no-hohino-mikoto appointed Kuni no miyatsuko of Musashi Province, the capital of which was located in what is now Fuchū. Its position as the central shrine of Musashi Province was confirmed from the Taika period, and archaeological evidence confirms that the shrine was located very close to the provincial capital of Musashi.
During the late Heian period Minamoto no Yoriyoshi and his son, Minamoto no Yoshiie donated thousands of zelkova saplings to the shrine as part of a prayer for victory in military campaigns in Mutsu Province, and in 1182 Minamoto no Yoritomo made an invocation for the safe delivery of a child during the pregnancy of Hojo Masako. Following the start of the Kamakura period, Minamoto no Yoritomo extensively rebuilt the shrine. It was rebuilt again in 1590 under Tokugawa Ieyasu and after a fire in 1649.
Under the State Shinto system of the Meiji period, the shrine was officially renamed Ōkunitama Jinja in 1872, and appointed a Kanpei-shōsha in 1886.

Kurayami matsuri

The Kurayami matsuri is claimed to be one of the three oldest festivals in Kanto region. This festival is held every year, between 30 April and 6 May. Originally this festival was described as an utagaki.
Ryotaro Shiba, a Japanese essay writer and novelist, observed that this festival resulted in disorderly conduct by the participants. He claimed that, amongst the single men and women who had gathered to sing and dance for each other, were also those who were married and who intended to have sex under cover of darkness. In the Meiji Era, facing criticism from Christian missionaries, the authorities put a stop to this festival.
In its place, Kurayami Matsuri was created. Kurayami means 'darkness' and matsuri means 'festival' in Japanese. It was originally held during the night, but this was changed to evening in 1959.
On May 4, the road approaching the temple is used as a track for horse-racing and performances of a masked folk dance known as Fuchuu Hayashi. On May 5, six large taiko drums lead eight mikoshi to a temporary holding area. They are returned to the shrine early in the morning the following day.

List of Research papers for

Kurayami matsuri and Ohkunitama shrine