Susa Jinja - An ancient shrine dedicated to the spirit of the heroic god Susanoo no Mikoto ⛩
📜This ancient shrine is mentioned in the “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki” (a book from the 8th century describing the life of people at the time). Susa Jinja is located on the bank of the Susagawa River, a branch of the Kandogawa River running from north to south in central Shimane Prefecture.
This region is strongly related to Susanoo no Mikoto, a heroic god who, according to Japanese mythology, eradicated the multi-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi. In “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki,” the passage about Susa village says that Susanoo came here, and after he finished settling the land, he said: “This land may be small, but it is good. This land shall not be named by the nature it has; it shall bear my name.” Thus, he named this place “Susa”, and according to the book, he decided to link his soul to this place even after his death.
Shrines related to Susanoo are common throughout Japan, but this one is the only one where Susanoo’s soul is enshrined, and that also worships Susanoo’s wife, Inatahime no Mikoto, and her parents, Ashinazuchi no Mikoto and Tenazochi no Mikoto. These four gods all appear in the legend of Yamata no Orochi. The shrine has a strong reputation for answering prayers about good relations and new encounters, the prosperity of one’s descendants, the well-being of one’s family, and protection from various harms.
The existence of this ancient shrine can be confirmed in “Izumo no Kuni Fudoki” and “Engishiki” (a 10th century book of Japanese laws and regulations). The shrine’s main building is in the “taishazukuri” architectural style. It was reconstructed in 1861, and has been designated as a Cultural Property by the prefectural government.
Though it is a small shrine lost between the hills of Izumo, surrounded by greenery, a mystical atmosphere floats here. The Japanese media often present this shrine as THE “power spot” of Japan— a place recognized by Japanese people for its spiritual energy…
🐲Read the legend about Susanoo defeating the many-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi at:
https://ancient-japan-izumo.com/history/chapter4
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