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Terukuni Shrine is a major [[Shinto shrine]] in [[Kagoshima]], dedicated to Terukuni daimyôjin, the deified [[Shimazu Nariakira]].

Terukuni Shrine is a major [[Shinto shrine]] in [[Kagoshima]], dedicated to Terukuni daimyôjin, the deified [[Shimazu Nariakira]].

The shrine traces its origin to a small enshrinement space for Nariakira created within the [[Tendai]] temple [[Nansen-in]], in [[1862]]; the following year, Nariakira was formally granted deification. Construction on a fuller shrine began that year and was completed the following year ([[1864]]), being called Terukuni Shrine ("Illuminating the Nation" or "Illuminating Nation" Shrine), while Nansen-in was dismantled. The shrine was officially designated a prefectural shrine in [[1873]], and in [[1882]] was then designated an Imperial Shrine of Special Status (''bekkaku kanpeisha''). [[Saigo Takamori|Saigô Takamori]] established a [[Satsuma Army Cadet School]] on the grounds in [[1874]]; the Kagoshima Gokoku ("Protection of the Country") Shrine also stands on the grounds.

The shrine traces its origin to a small enshrinement space for Nariakira created within the [[Tendai]] temple [[Nansen-in]], in [[1862]]; the following year, Nariakira (who died in [[1858]]) was formally granted deification by the Imperial Court. Construction on a fuller shrine began that year and was completed the following year ([[1864]]), being called Terukuni Shrine ("Illuminating the Nation" or "Illuminating Nation" Shrine), while Nansen-in was dismantled. The shrine was officially designated a prefectural shrine in [[1873]], and in [[1882]] was then designated an Imperial Shrine of Special Status (''bekkaku kanpeisha''). [[Saigo Takamori|Saigô Takamori]] established a [[Satsuma Army Cadet School]] on the grounds in [[1874]]; the Kagoshima Gokoku ("Protection of the Country") Shrine also stands on the grounds.

The main worship hall which stands today dates to 1958, having been rebuilt following its destruction in World War II.

The main worship hall which stands today dates to 1958, having been rebuilt following its destruction in World War II.

A large bronze statue of Shimazu Nariakira stands within the grounds of the temple, and two of [[Shimazu Hisamitsu]] and [[Shimazu Tadayoshi]], along with a number of other significant monuments, stand in the [[Tanshoen|Tanshôen]] gardens, just outside the shrine grounds, to the east.

A large bronze statue of Shimazu Nariakira stands within the grounds of the temple, and two of [[Shimazu Hisamitsu]] and [[Shimazu Tadayoshi]], along with a number of other significant monuments, stand in the [[Tanshoen|Tanshôen]] gardens, just outside the shrine grounds, to the east. These were erected in 1917.<ref>Gallery labels, [[Shokoshuseikan|Shôkoshûseikan]].</ref> The shrine holds one [[National Treasure]], a sword by the swordsmith [[Kunimune]]; it was given to shrine by [[Shimazu Tadashige]] in 1927.<ref>"[http://www.shuseikan.jp/culture/culture10.html Terukuni jinja]," ''Shimazu-ke ga hagukunda bunka'', [[Shokoshuseikan|Shôkoshûseikan]] official website.</ref>

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