[Tokyo/Musashi Mitake Shrine] A land of mountain worship and guardian wolves

Musashi Mitake Shrine does not have lion dogs. Instead, there is Okuchi no Mago (Oinu-sama). When Emperor Yamato Takeru was on an expedition to the east, he got lost in the mist and a wolf guided him. Emperor Yamato Takeru ordered the wolf to stay in the area as Okuchi no Mago and exterminate all the demons. That's why Emperor Yamato Takeru's messenger is a wolf, and there are not lion dogs but lion wolves in the shrine grounds! Originally, Musashi Mitake Shrine holds its Shikinen Taisai in the Year of the Rooster, but now the statue of Okuchi no Mago can be worshiped in the Year of the Rabbit, which is half of the year. This is the second time in 2023. The statue can only be seen by ascending the sanctuary, so I took this opportunity to go up. Three wooden statues were moved from Okuchi no Mago Shrine to the main hall, and I was able to see them up close. The jet black wolf statue is impressive. There is also a lodging in the village, so you can make a reservation in advance and relax while worshiping. ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ❁ ❁ ❁┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ❥❥History In the 7th year of Emperor Sujin's reign, Takenukawawake no Mikoto enshrined Okuninushi no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto. In 736, Gyoki enshrined a statue of Zao Gongen in prayer for the protection of the eastern provinces. In 1234, Oonakatomi Kunikane restored the shrine. In 1606, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the shrine to be rebuilt, facing east instead of south, as the "protector of the west" of Edo. The current offering hall and worship hall were built by the fifth shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. During the Meiji era's anti-Buddhist movement, the name "Mitake Zao Gongen" was changed to "Mitake Shrine," and after the war in the Showa era, it was renamed "Musashi Mitake Shrine." ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ❁ ❁ ❁┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ❥❥ Takekura Mitake Shrine 🚠Mitake Mountain Railway "Mitakesan Station" → 🚶‍♀️ 25 minutes walk ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ #Tokyo sightseeing