Hakozaki Shrine


Hakozaki Shrine is a Shintō shrine in Fukuoka.

History

Hakozaki Shrine was founded in 923, with the transfer of the spirit of the kami Hachiman from Daibu Hachiman Shrine in what is Honami Commandry, Chikuzen Province in Kyūshū.
, which was painted between 1275 and 1293.
During the first Mongol invasion on November 19, 1274, the Japanese defenders were pushed back from the several landing sites. In the ensuing skirmishes, the shrine was burned to the ground. When the shrine was reconstructed, a calligraphy Tekikoku kōfuku was put on the tower gate. The calligraphy was written by Emperor Daigo, dedicated by Emperor Daijo Kameyama as a supplication to Hachiman to defeat invaders.
The shrine is highly ranked among the many shrines in Japan. It was listed in Engishiki-jinmyōchō edited in 927. In 11th or 12th century, the shrine was ranked as Ichinomiya of Chikuzen Province.
Admiral Heihachiro Togo, famous for defeating Russia on the seas, was known to worship often at Hakozaki shrine.
From 1871-1946, Hakozaki was officially designated a Kanpei-taisha'', in the first rank of government supported shrines. Other similar Hachiman shrines were Iwashimizu Hachimangū of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture and Usa Shrine of Usa in Ōita Prefecture.

Shinto belief

Hakozaki Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of the kami Hachiman. This shrine especially venerates the memory of Emperor Ōjin, Empress Jingū and Tamayori-bime.

Treasures

A number of structures in the shrine complex have been designated as important cultural assets of Japan, including the main hall, the worship hall, tower gate and the main Torii, Ichino-torii.

Festivals

The annual Tamaseseri Festival and the Hojoya Festival attract many visitors to the shrine.