Mekari Shrine

Japanese: 和布刈神社 (Mekari jinja)

Mekari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Moji (Kitakyushu City), situated at the northernmost point in Kyushu, overlooking the Straits of Shimonoseki. The shrine is particularly famous for its Mekari no jinji ceremonies in which priests enter the water and harvest seaweed to present to the kami.

According to legend, the shrine is said to have been first established by Emperor Chûai or Empress Jingû.

In December 2019, the shrine completed construction on a new juyojo building for distributing omamori charms, goshuin, and other items. Replacing a traditional wooden building where visitors would receive items from a window, the new structure features an indoor space with contemporary minimalist aesthetics. It was designed by Butsugan Tadahiro of the design group ABOUT, with consulting with the 300-year-old incense and crafts company Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten (est. 1716).

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References

"Mekari jinja," Digital Daijisen.