This article is also available in Japanese (日本語). You can refer to it from here.
We will introduce Ushijima Shrine in Mukojima of Tokyo, an old Shinto shrine with nearly 1,200 years of history. This shrine has had a close association with oxen since early times. So you can see many oxen-related statues are enshrined.
This article contains helpful information for you to visit Ushijima Shrine. All the data is worth knowing, including its history, highlights, enshrined Shinto gods, benefits to worship, and access methods. Just reading this article will make this shrine more interesting to you.
History
The origin of Ushijima Shrine dates back to the Heian period. In the 2nd year of Jōgan (860 AD), Jikaku Daishi Ennin (慈覚大師円仁) founded this shrine to worship Susanoō-No-Mitoko (須佐之男命) because of the following divine revelation of that deity.
Build a shrine for me. Then, I will dash off with the bull’s head and a formidable look to protect people when a calamity arises in this land.
The former name of this shrine is Ushi-No-Gozen Shrine (牛御前神社). However, it changed its name to Ushijma Shrine when the Shinbutsu-Bunri policy was introduced in the 1st year of Meiji (1868 AD) to separate Shintoism from Buddhism. This shrine was also located in Mukōjima Susaki-Chō (near Sakura-Bashi Bridge), but moved to its current location in Showa 7 (1932 AD).
Enshrined Gods and Their Blessings
Susanoo no Mitoko (須佐之男命)
- Other names: Susanoo no mikoto (素戔男尊), Gozu tenno (牛頭天王), etc.
- Divinity: A Shinto god of the sea, storms, agriculture, etc.
- Blessings: Calamity prevention, good fortune, matchmaking, huge harvest, etc.
Ame no Hohi no Mikoto (天之穂日命)
- Other names: Ame no hohi no mikoto (天之菩卑能命, Ame no hohi no kami (天菩比神), etc.
- Divinity: A Shinto goddess of the Sun, agriculture, rise, sericulture, etc.
- Blessings: Agricultural protection, industrial prosperity, sericulture protection, academic achievement, matchmaking, etc.
Sadatoki Shinoo no Mikoto (貞辰親王命)
- Other names: Unknown.
- Divinity: The 7th prince of Emperor Seiwa, who died in this area in 929.
- Blessings: Unknown.
Highlights
The Miwa-No-Torii Gate
In front of the main shrine building of Ushijima Shrine, there is a torii gate with an unusual shape called Miwa-No-Torii. This torii gate has a smaller torii gate placed on both sides of a normal torii. Miwa-No-Torii is also called Mitsu-Torii, and Miwa Shrine in Chuō-Ku in Tokyo also has one.
The Miwa-No-Torii gate at Ushijima Shrine was damaged by a typhoon in Heisei 30 (2018 AD), and was rebuilt in the first year of Reiwa (2019 AD). It is made from 170-year-old natural cypress, and no nails are used other than to attach metal ornaments.
The Shrine Building
The main shrine building of Ushijima Shrine is one of the most significant shrine buildings in Tokyo. It is an admirable building called Sōhinoki-Gongen-Zukuri (all-cypress Gongen-Zukuri style building). The Honden (the main sanctuary), the Heiden (the offering hall), and the Haiden (the worship hall) are interconnected under the same roof.
The Great Kantō Earthquake of Taishō 12 (1932 AD) burn down this shrine building. Then the building was rebuilt after the shrine moved to the current location in Shōwa 7 (1932 AD).
The Nadeushi Statue
Ushijima Shrine has long been famous for its belief in Nadeushi. This belief is a custom of praying for one’s good health by gently rubbing a stone statue of cattle. This shrine has a cattle statue in the precincts dedicated in the 8th year of Bunsei (1825 AD). Before that, it was a big natural stone in the shape of a cow.
To practice Nadeushi, stroke the bad part of your body before rubbing the same part of this statue. People believe that this will cure your illnesses or injuries. Ushijima Shrine’s Nadeushi is said to be effective both for physical health and mental health.
This shrine has another tradition related to the Nadeushi belief. Parents dedicate a bib to the shrine when they get a baby. People believe that the baby with the bib will grow healthy.
Komaushi Statues
Ushijima Shrine is deeply associated with cattle for a long time. And Komaushi (guardian bulls), rare in Japan, protect the deities in front of the main shrine.
According to Shinbutsu-Shūgō belief, Susanoō-No-Mikoto (a Shinto deity that this shrine enshrines) and Gozu-Tennō (a Buddhist deity that looks like Minotaur) are the same. Because Gozu-Tennō has a cow’s head, people believe that cows are messengers of the deities at Ushijima Shrine.
Komainu Statues
Ushijima Shrine is not limited to Komaushi. Of course, it has many Komainu (guardian dogs) to the precincts. As this shrine has over 1,100 years of history, these guardian dogs also make you feel the history. The oldest guardian dog was dedicated to the shrine in Kyōhō 14 (1729 AD) and is the oldest guardian dog in Sumida-Ku of Tōkyō.
Other Useful Information
Opening Hours
- From April to September: From 05:00 to 18:00
- From October to March: From 05:30 to 17:00
TEL
- 03-3622-0973
Address
- Mukojima 1-4-5, Sumida-Ku, Tokyo 131-0033
Google Map
Public Transport (Train)
- 15 minutes on foot from Honjo-Azumabashi Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line
- 15 minutes on foot from Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line
- 15 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line
- 15 minutes on foot from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Public Restroom Availability
- No. But there are some public restrooms in Sumida Park adjacent to Ushijima Shrine.
References
Conclusions
This time, we introduced Ushijima Shrine on the left bank of Sumida Park. Despite being within walking distance of Sensōji Temple and Tokyo Sky Tree, which are always crowded with tourists, this shrine is in a very quiet environment.
Ushijima Shrine is a historical shrine with a history of over 1,100 years. There are many must-see highlights, such as the unique torii gate, the gorgeous shrine buildings, and the offerings associated with cattle. In addition, there are even more highlights that we could not cover in this article.
When you visit the Asakusa district or Tokyo Skytree, be sure to visit this Ushijima Shrine as well. You will feel a different history from Sensoji Temple.
