Omi Shrine

Coordinates: 35°01′56.8″N 135°51′04.4″E / 35.032444°N 135.851222°E

Omi Shrine
近江神宮 (Omi Jingu)

Rōmon
Information
Type Former kanpeitaisha
Chokusaisha
Beppyo jinja
Dedicated to Emperor Tenji
Founded 1940
Reisai Reitaisai (April 20th)
Honden style Omi-zukuri
Address 1-1, Jingu-cho, Otsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture, JAPAN, 314-0031
Website oumijingu.org
Glossary of Shinto

Omi Jingu (近江神宮 Ōmi Jingū) or Omi Shrine is a Jingū shinto shrine in Ōtsu, a city in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It was constructed in 1940 and is dedicated to Emperor Tenji.[1] It was formerly an imperial shrine of the first rank (官幣大社, kanpei taisha) in the Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines.

The shrine is located near Ōmijingūmae Station.

History

The temple is dedicated to Emperor Tenji (626-671), the 38th emperor of Japan,[2] who is enshrined here.[3] Emperor Tenji carried out the Taika Reforms and aimed to complete the reform in the capital city, which was located on the west bank of Lake Biwa.[4] He moved the Japanese capital from Asuka to Ōtsu in 667.[3][5] Emperor Tenji also presided over the establishment of the first rōkoku, or Japanese water clock system, which was installed in 671.[6][7]

The proposal for this temple to Emperor Tenji was first considered by Japanese Diet in 1908.[3] The construction of the temple started in 1937 and was finished by November 7, 1940.[4][8]

Layout and design

The temple is surrounded by a large forest.[2] Its main gate and buildings are painted red.[2] The complex is located near the Otsu Palace.[2]

Omi shrine pavilions were constructed by a method of Omi-zukuri, and it is listed in the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.[8]

There are a multitude of facilities within the precinct of the shrine, including Ichi-no-Torii (一の鳥居: First gate), Ni-no-Torii (二の鳥居: Second gate), Syagō Hyō (社号標: Stone pillar on which shrine name is engraved), Temizusha (手水舎: Purification font), Yuisho Kōsatsu (由緒高札: Official bulletin board about the origin), Rōmon (楼門: Tower gate), Ge-haiden (外拝殿: Outer Haiden), Nai-haiden (内拝殿: Inner Haiden), Honden (本殿: Main hall), Kaguraden (神座殿: Hall for a sacred symbol), Tokeikan Hobutsukan (時計館宝物館: Treasure hall of clock museum), Hidokei (日時計: a sun-dial), Rokoku (漏刻: water clock ), Kodai Hidokei (古代火時計: Ancient fire clock), Jidosya Kiyoharae-sho (自動車清祓所: Purification place for cars), Seishō Yōhaiden (栖松遙拝殿: The hall to worship kami from afar), Karuta gaku (かるた額: Frame for karuta), Haraedo (also known as 'harae-dokoro,' or 'harae-dono')(祓所: a site where harae is performed), Komorebi no Michi (木洩れ日の道: The road of sunlight filtering through trees ), Tokei Gakko (時計学校: The clock School), Omi Kangakukan (近江勧学館: Omi school), and Zen-an (善庵). [9]

Monument status

Shari container of Sufukuji-tou-shinso-nochihin: Kinsen-hekiruritubo、Kinsei-Uchibako、insei-Nakabako、Kondo-Sotobako from right

National treasure of Japan

Search in the online database of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan for country's designated cultural properties[10]

Important cultural properties of Japan

Search in the "Cultural Heritage Online" of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan [12]

Registered tangible cultural property of Japan

Search in the "Cultural Heritage Online" of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan [12]

From front, Kitashin-mon (北神門)、Sotosukibei (外透塀)、Sotokairo (外廻廊)、Jinpu-Juyosho (神符授与所)、Rōmon (楼門)
Rōmon (楼門)
  • First Torii (第一鳥居: 1st gate)[15]
  • Second Torii (第二鳥居: 2nd gate)[16]
  • Rest house for worshippers (参拝者休憩所: soba restaurant; Zen-an (善庵))[17][18]
  • Chozuya/Temizuya (手水舎: Purification font)[19]
  • Jidōsya (car)-kiyoharaesho (自動車清祓所（旧大津裁判所本館車寄）)[20]
  • Jinpu-Juyosho (神符授与所: The place to provide amulets)[21]
  • Shukuei-sha (宿衛舎: The lodging house of a night guard)[22]
  • Nanbu sotokairō (外廻廊 (南部): Outer south corridor)[23]
  • Hokubu sotokairō (外廻廊 (北部): Outer north corridor)[24]
  • Gehaiden (外拝殿: Outer Haiden)[25]
  • Naihaiden (内拝殿: Inner Haiden)[26]
  • Nanbu naiinkairō (内院廻廊（南部）The south corridor of the innermost shrine)[27]
  • Hokubu naiinkairō (内院廻廊（北部）The north corridor of the innermost shrine)[28]
  • Noboriro (登廊: Stairway)[29]
  • Tyumon (中門: The middle gate)[30]
  • Nanbu yokurō (翼廊 (南部): South transept)[31]
  • Hokubu yokurō (翼廊 (北部): North transept)[32]
  • South sukibei (透塀 (南部): South see-through fence)[33]
  • North sukibei (透塀 (北部): North see-through fence)[34]
  • Watariro (渡廊: Connecting corridor)[35]
  • Noritosya (祝詞舎: Prayer hall)[36]
  • Honden (本殿: Main hall)[37]
  • Hokura (神庫: small shrine)[38]
  • Komon (後門: Back gate)[39]
  • Kitashinmon (北神門: North kami's gate)[40]
  • Nanbu sotosukibei (外透塀（南部）South outer see-through fence)[41]
  • Hokubu sotosukibei (外透塀（北部）North outer see-through fence)[42]
  • Kaguraden (神楽殿: Hall for a sacred symbol)[43]
  • Kaguraden-kairō (神楽殿廻廊: The corridor of "Kaguraden")[44]
  • Shinsensho (神饌所: Building for the preparation of food for the gods)[45]
  • Shinsensho-noborirō (神饌所登廊: The corridor of "Shinsensho")[46]
  • Sanshusho (参集所: Building for the meeting)[47]
  • Sanshusho-genkan (参集所玄関: The front door of "Sanshusho")[48]
  • Sanshusho-noborirō (参集所登楼: The stairway of "Sanshusho")[49]
  • Waki-torii (脇鳥居: smaller gate)[50]
  • Saikan (斎館: a building where a Shinto-Buddhist priest is confined)[51]
  • Saikan-genkan (斎館玄関: The front door of "Saikan")[52]
  • Chokushi-genkan (勅使玄関: The front door for "Chokushi")[53]
  • Shamusho 1 (社務所1: Shrine office I)[54]
  • Syamusho 2 (社務所2: Shrine office II)[55]

Monuments inscribed with poems (tanka and haiku)

Poem monuments made by the carving of famous tanka and haiku on natural stone is known as kuhi (句碑) and kahi (歌碑), respectively. The Omi shrine has 13 poem monuments.[56]

Omi Jingu Tokei Museum (Clock Museum)

In the precincts of this shrine, the Omi Jingu Clock Museum displays various clocks centering on roukoku and Japanese clocks.[2][57]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference oumijingu2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference rokoku was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Festivals and annual events

The karuta card of the Emperor Tenji's opening tanka poem for Ogura Hyakunin Isshu

A Water Clock Festival, Rokoku-sai, held in honor of the first water clock in Japan installed at the shrine, takes place around June 9–10, the day when the water clock is thought to have been installed.[6][57][58][59][60] The preceding day features a Japanese tea ceremony performed by the Sen Sōshitsu, grand tea master of the Urasenke, one of the three san-Senke.[6]

The Japanese national championship competitive karuta tournament, Karuta Matsuri, takes place here every January, on the first Saturday and Sunday after the New Year holiday.[61] The Grand Champions are awarded the title Meijin (men's division) and Queen (women's division), and a seven-time Grand Champion is known as an Eternal Master. The national championship for high school students is held every July.[62] The tournaments take place here as Emperor Tenji has composed the opening tanka poem of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (Hundred Poet) poems used in karuta.[62] The karuta festival in the Omi Jingu temple was popularized by a recent manga and anime Chihayafuru.[62]

Another annual festival, Reisai, is held in 20 April, the anniversary of Otsu establishment as the capital during Emperor Tenji reign.[4]

The list of annual celebrations and events

The following recurring events take place at the Omi Shrine:[63]

References

  1. ↑ "ご事績・ご神徳 (Official Omi shrine homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Historical Spots -Otsu Tourism Association". Otsu.or.jp. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Stuart D. B. Picken (28 December 2010). Historical Dictionary of Shinto. Scarecrow Press. pp. 229–. ISBN 978-0-8108-7372-8.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan: Niju-Saka. Kodansha. 1983. p. 102. ISBN 978-0-87011-626-1.
  5. ↑ Hall, John Whitney, ed. (1993). The Cambridge History of Japan 1. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521223520.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sasaki Sanmi (August 2005). Chado the Way of Tea: A Japanese Tea Master's Almanac. Translated by Shaun McCabe and Iwasaki Satoko. Tuttle Publishing. p. 293. ISBN 978-0-8048-3716-3.
  7. ↑ Jien (1979). Ishida, Ichirō, ed. The Future and the Past: A Translation and Study of the Gukanshō, an Interpretative History of Japan Written in 1219. Translated by Ichirō Ishida. University of California Press. ISBN 0520034600.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Official Omi Shrine Homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  9. ↑ "境内図と境内各所のご案内 (Official Omi shrine homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  10. ↑ "the online database of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan for country's designated cultural properties". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Otsu City Museum of History". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  13. ↑ "heritageId:168835, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  14. ↑ "heritageId:198866, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  15. ↑ "heritageId:191869, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  16. ↑ "heritageId:185600, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  17. ↑ "heritageId:113947, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  18. ↑ "Zen-an homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  19. ↑ "heritageId:136638, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  20. ↑ "heritageId:177086, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  21. ↑ "heritageId:113927, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  22. ↑ "heritageId:136618, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  23. ↑ "heritageId:185580, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  24. ↑ "heritageId:191849, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  25. ↑ "heritageId:177066, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  26. ↑ "heritageId:180753, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  27. ↑ "heritageId:147455, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  28. ↑ "heritageId:113724, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  29. ↑ "heritageId:166152, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  30. ↑ "heritageId:147445, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  31. ↑ "heritageId:113917, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  32. ↑ "heritageId:177056, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  33. ↑ "heritageId:138111, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  34. ↑ "heritageId:185570, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  35. ↑ "heritageId:113714, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  36. ↑ "heritageId:180743, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  37. ↑ "heritageId:166142, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  38. ↑ "heritageId:191839, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  39. ↑ "heritageId:136608, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  40. ↑ "heritageId:166162, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  41. ↑ "heritageId:138121, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  42. ↑ "heritageId:180763, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  43. ↑ "heritageId:147465, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  44. ↑ "heritageId:113734, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  45. ↑ "heritageId:177076, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  46. ↑ "heritageId:113937, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  47. ↑ "heritageId:136628, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  48. ↑ "heritageId:185590, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  49. ↑ "heritageId:191859, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  50. ↑ "heritageId:138141, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  51. ↑ "heritageId:113744, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  52. ↑ "heritageId:147475, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  53. ↑ "heritageId:180773, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  54. ↑ "heritageId:138131, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  55. ↑ "heritageId:166172, Cultural Heritage Online of the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  56. ↑ "境内の歌碑・句碑 (Official Omi shrine homepage)". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 "Omi-jingu Shrine - Hello Japan - Japan Travel Guide". Hellojapan.asia. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  58. ↑ "Omi Jingu Shrine : Travel Guide of Shiga Prefecture,Japan - go.biwako". En.biwako-visitors.jp. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  59. ↑ Japan National Tourism Organization, Lake Biwa, Otsu and Hikone
  60. ↑ Helaine Selin (12 March 2008). Encyclopaedia of the History of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Non-Western Cultures. Springer. p. 2134. ISBN 978-1-4020-4559-2.
  61. ↑ "EVENT -Otsu Tourism Association". Otsu.or.jp. Retrieved 2014-01-05.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 Omi Shrine, the setting for the popular comic book "Chihayafuru", Tourism and International Exchange Bureau Department of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Labor, Shiga Prefecture Biwako Visitors Bureau
  63. ↑ "The list of annual celebrations (Officail Omi shrine homepage) (年間祭典行事一覧)". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  64. ↑ "時計館宝物館 (Official Omi shrine homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  65. ↑ "漏刻について (Official Omi shrine homepage". Retrieved 2014-01-09.

External links

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