Kagoshima Shrine

• Other Names: 鹿児島神社 (Kagoshima jinja), 大隅正八幡宮 (Oosumi shou hachiman guu)
• Japanese: 鹿児島神宮 (Kagoshima jinguu)

Kagoshima Shrine was the chief shrine (ichi-no-miya) in Ôsumi province.

The shrine is mentioned in the 967 Engi-shiki. It later became a Hachiman shrine, and in or around the 11th century, the shrine's name was changed from Kagoshima jinja to Ôsumi Shô-Hachiman-gû. It was not only the top shrine in Ôsumi, but was a center of worship for all three provinces of Ôsumi, Hyûga, and Satsuma. Many people prayed there for victory against the Mongol invasions, and the shrine received some special recognition from the Kamakura shogunate afterward.

During the Nanbokuchô period, the shrine became opposed to the Shimazu clan, but by the 16th century, the Shimazu began to worship there, and to patronize the shrine. Today, a number of gifts from Shimazu Takahisa can still be found there, along with a worship hall (shaden) built by Shimazu Shigehide. The shrine was heavily involved in overseas trade in the medieval period, and many trade goods have been discovered in archaeological excavations on the site.

The Ôsumi Shô-Hachiman Shrine was renamed Kagoshima jinja in 1671, and Kagoshima jingû in 1674; it continues to be known by the latter today.

References

• "Kagoshima Jingû," Shimazu-ke ga hagukunda bunka, Shôkoshûseikan official website.