Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Suitengu/Hiranuma Shrine



In serial in 7th installments, when I was writing about Hiranuma shopping street, I touched upon Ujigami (local Shinto deity) of Hiranuma shrine, or better known as Suitengu.



A charm of Suitengu drifted to channel of salt pan operated by Takagi family, who contributed to the development of Hiranuma fields and the Suitengu was enshrined. That’s the origin of this shrine. Later, it enshrines a tragic Young Emperor Antoku, who drowned himself in with Taira Clan in the Battle of Dan-no-ura.



Even during Great Kanto earthquake and wars, surrounding area miraculously remained unburned. Therefore, it was enthusiastically worshiped by local people. Grand festival was held on 4th and 5th of September and there were floats and portable shrines were carried by local people. The shrine was filled with booths and even a show tent and many people visited. The shrine is related to water, so it rains a lot on festival days. Yudate (Shinto ritual in which a shaman or priest soaks bamboo grass in boiling water and sprinkles the water on worshippers) which is held in the shrine on January 5th is very famous.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published December in 2000)