Ayabe Shrine (綾部神社) is a shrine of the kami Hachiman, located in Miyaki, Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Ayabe Shrine
綾部神社
Religion
AffiliationShinto
DeityHachiman
TypeHachiman shrine
Location
LocationMiyaki, Saga, Saga Prefecture, Japan
Geographic coordinates33°21′38″N 130°26′28″E / 33.36055°N 130.44113°E / 33.36055; 130.44113
Architecture
FounderAyabe Shirodayu Michitoshi
Date established1205
Website
www.town.miyaki.lg.jp
Glossary of Shinto

Information edit

In July 1189, Ayabe Shirodayu Michitoshi, prayed for victory in the Battle of Ōshū. After the battle had ended, he was given land as a reward.[1] He then donated some of the land to have a shrine built on it.[2] Ayabe Shrine was then built in 1205,[3][1] at the foot of what was once Ayabe Castle.[4][5]

The shrine is also known as the oldest meteorological observatory in Japan.[6] On July 15 every year, flags are raised on trees at the shrine. After five days, the location of the flag is used to predict future weather events.[1] A festival is held every year with various Shinto rituals and sumo wrestling to mark the event.[1][7][8]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d 綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Miyaki Sanpo, 2013, retrieved 13 March 2023
  2. ^ 綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Komainu.org, retrieved 13 March 2023
  3. ^ 開運!御朱印巡りの旅(綾部八幡神社・伊勢神社・男女神社) [Good Luck! Traveling around Goshuin (Ayabe Hachiman Shrine, Ise Shrine, Men and Women Shrine)] (in Japanese), Saga TV, 2019, retrieved 13 March 2023
  4. ^ 宮山城 [Miyayama Castle] (in Japanese), hb.pei.jp, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
  5. ^ <知っとるね>みやき町の「綾部城址」 [<Know it> Ayabe Castle Ruins in Miyaki Town] (in Japanese), Saga-s.co.jp, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023
  6. ^ Hoshino, Raku (2019), 天候と豊凶、神旗で占う 「最古の気象台」綾部八幡神社 [The oldest weather observatory, Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Nishi Nippon, retrieved 13 March 2023
  7. ^ 綾部神社の旗上げ神事(みやき町) [Flag-raising ritual at Ayabe Shrine (Miyaki Town)] (in Japanese), Saga Plus, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
  8. ^ 綾部神社 旗上げ神事 [Ayabe Shrine flag-raising ritual] (in Japanese), Yukoyuko.net, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023