Atsuta Shrine
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| Atsuta Shrine 熱田神宮 |
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| The haiden, or prayer hall | |
| Information | |
| Dedicated to | Atsuta no Ōkami Amaterasu Susanoo Yamatotakeru Miyasuhime Takeinadane |
| Address | 1-1-1, Jingu, Atsuta-ku Nagoya, Aichi 456-8585 |
| Phone | +81 (052) 671-4151 |
| Website | Homepage |
Atsuta Shrine (熱田神宮 Atsuta-jingū?) is a 200,000 m2 Shinto shrine complex located in Atsuta-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture in Japan.[1] Drawing over 9 million visitors annually, Atsuta is known as the second-most venerable shrine in Japan (the first being the Ise Shrine).[2] It reportedly houses the sword Kusanagi no mitsurugi, one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, though it is never shown to the public.[3] The shrine's Bunkaden, or treasure hall, houses over 4,000 relics, which include 174 Important Cultural Properties and a dagger that is a designated National Treasure of Japan.[4] Over 70 ceremonies and festivals annually are held annually at the shrine.[1]
[edit] History
According to the Kojiki (Japan's oldest surviving book), Atsuta Shrine was originally founded around 100 AD after the site in Nagoya was chosen for the shrine to house the Kusanagi no mitsurugi. Throughout its history, the shrine's buildings were maintained through the efforts of shoguns such as Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Tokugawas. The Nobunaga-Bei, a 7.4 m high roofed mud wall, was donated to the shrine in 1560 by Nobunaga as a token of gratitude for being granted a victory at the Battle of Okehazama.[5]
In 1893, it was remodeled using the Shinmeizukuri architectural style, the same style used in the building of Ise Shrine. Before a celebration in 1935, the shrine's buildings as well as other facilities were completely rearranged and improved in order to better reflect the importance of the shrine.[2]
During the bombings of World War II, however, many of Atsuta Shrine's buildings were destroyed by fire. The shrine's main buildings, such as the honden, were reconstructed and completed in 1955.[2] Following the completion of these buildings, construction of other buildings continued on the shrine grounds, and in 1966 the Treasure Hall was completed in order to house over 4,000 of the shrine's treasures.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Atsuta-jingu Shrine. Japan National Tourist Organization. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ a b c Introduction. Atsuta Jingu. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Atsuta Shrine. japan-guide.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Treasure. Atsuta Jingu. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
- ^ Nobunaga-Bei Wall. Atsuta Jingu. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
