Hirakiki Shrine
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Hirakiki Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in southern Kyushu, between Lake Ikeda and the volcanic mountain Kaimondake.
It is mentioned in the 10th century Engishiki, and has long been regarded as the number one shrine (ichinomiya) in Satsuma province.
Ryukyuan visitors to Satsuma regularly prayed at Hirakiki for safe voyages, and the treasure house at the shrine today holds seven wooden plaques (henkaku) inscribed with calligraphy by Ryukyuan officials, dating from 1773 to 1803. Ryukyuan embassies to Edo regularly stopped at this shrine, marching to and from it in formal processions complete with banners and music; Ryukyuan and "Tôjin" dances remain a part of local traditions in the Yamakawa area today.
References
- "Ibusuki shi Yamakawa o aruku" 指宿市山川を歩く, Momoto モモト 14 (April 2013), n.p.
