Hikawa Shrine (Saitama)

Nihongo|Hikawa shrine|氷川神社|Hikawa Jinja in the Omiya district of Saitama is a major Shinto shrine. Standing behind three torii gates in a wood with many ancient Japanese elms, it claims to have a 2400 year history. Surrounding the shrine is a large park in which there are many cherry blossom trees, a zoo and a museum.

As many as 290 daughter shrines exist across Japan, all named 'Hikawa'. Most are small but all enshrine the same kami, Susanoo. [ [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B9%E3%82%B5%E3%83%8E%E3%82%AA] , retrieved from the Japanese Wikipedia, on 2008 September 5]

Omiya itself, literally 'Great Shrine', derives its name from this shrine.

History

According to the shrine's records, the shrine was established by the order of Emperor Kōshō in 473 BC. A legend recounts that Yamato Takeru, who injured his lege during his crusade to the East, visited the shrine following directions of an old man who appeared in his dream. After worshiping, he was able to stand on his own. It is known that the old name of the region, Nihongo|Ashidate|足立, literally meaning "leg stand", was named after this incidence.The pond within the grounds of the shrine is a remnant of Minuma and considered to have roots in enshrining the water god of Minuma. In 1882 (Meiji 15)), the main shrine structure was renovated. In 1940 (Shōwa 15)), a project financed by the government reconstructed the main shrine structure, the gate tower, and other structures. In 1976 (Shōwa 51), the Large Torii of Meiji Shrine damaged by lightening in 1966 (Shōwa 41) was fixed and transferred to Hikawa Shrine. [ [http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B0%B7%E5%B7%9D%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE] , retrieved from the Japanese Wikipedia on September 5 2008]

Access

* 10 minute walk from Tōbu Noda Line Kita-Ōmiya Station or Ōmiya-kōen Station
* 20 minute walk from JR or Tōbu Noda Line Omiya Station

ee also

* Hikawa-Maru