Guide to Kumano Shrine (Katsushika, Tokyo)

熊野神社 (Kumano Shinto Shrine)) Shrines and Temples
熊野神社 (Kumano Shinto Shrine))

This article is also available in Japanese. You can refer to it from here.

We will introduce Kumano Shrine in Tateishi of Tokyo, closely associated with Abe no Seimei, an Onmyoji in the Heian period. For this reason, you can notice the strong influences of the Onmyodo while at this shrine. For example, the shape of the precincts and the shrine crest.

This article contains helpful information for you to visit Kumano 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

According to the shrine, the history of Kumano Shrine dates back to the Heian period, which is more than 1,200 years ago. During the Chōhō era (999 AD to 1,004 AD), Abe no Seimei went on a journey searching for a pure land. And he found this area. So he solicited three deities of Kumano Ōkami, also known as Kumano Gongen, and reared a Shintō shrine here.

Since this area is on a sandbar of the Nakagawa River, floodings often damaged the area at that time. Therefore, Seimei set up a barrier based on the Yin-Yang Five Elements theory of the Onmyōdō to protect the shrine. This barrier is a very unusual shape called Sanjikken-gokaku (三十間五角), a regular pentagon with a side of about 55m.

This shrine was named Gohōzan Kumano Shrine because its site is a regular pentagon. The current official name is Kumano Shrine, but the official website of this shrine still uses Gohōzan Kumano Shrine. Some local people also call this shrine Tateishi Kumano Shrine because it is in the Tateishi district.

Enshrined Gods and Their Blessings

Izanagi no Mikoto (伊邪那岐命)

  • Divinity: A deity who solidified and shaped the Earth
  • Blessings: Safety of your family, matchmaking, etc.

Hayatamao no Mikoto (速玉男命)

  • Divinity: A deity of the purification, who prevents illness and brings you health
  • Blessings: Good fortune, disease cure, etc.

Kotosakao no Mikoto (事解雄命)

  • Divinity: A deity of the purification, who prevents illness and brings you health
  • Benefits: Good fortune, disease cure, etc.

Highlights

Yatagarasu Crows

The shrine crest (the shrine symbol) of Kumano Shrine is Yatagarasu crow (八咫烏). According to Japanese mythology, Yatagarasu crow is a divine messenger with three legs. When Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, conducted the Eastern expedition, this crow guided him. Because of that reason, people in Japan consider Yatagarasu crow a deity of guidance.

Since Yatagarasu crow is the crest of the three Great Shintō shrines of Kumano (熊野三社), Kumano Shrine also adopted Yatagarasu as the crest. However, the Yatagarasu crow of this shrine is drawn inside the regular pentagon. As Yatagarasu crow represents the Kumano faith and the regular pentagon represents the Onmyōdō, it can expresse the fusion of the Kumano faith and the Onmyōdō.

Here at Kumano Shrine, you can see Yatagarasu crows on the offering boxes, amulets, and votive tablets.

The Regular Pentagon Shaped Precincts

The regular pentagonal barrier, which Abe no Seimei set up 1,200 years ago, remains as it is as the shrine’s precincts. Each side of the regular pentagon is about 55m, so you can imagine that the precincts are not so large. However, it will be a very rare experience because we usually have no opportunity to step into the barrier of the Onmyōdō in our daily life.

Special Worships on the Night of the New Moon and the Full Moon

Kumano Shrine offers special prayers on the night of the new moon and the night of the full moon. That is the new moon night worship (満月夜詣り) and the full moon night worship (満月夜詣り). At the new moon worship, you make the moon a wish. And at the full moon worship, you show your gratitude to the moon. It takes about 20 minutes long or so in each ritual. In addition, the shrine will give you a special Ema table and/or amulets when you attend the service.

As of July 2021, you will have to make a reservation to attend any of these special worships because of COVID-19. For more details, please refer to the announcement on the official website.

Sacred Camphor Trees

Sacred camphor trees grow on both sides of the worship hall. Both are about 370 years old and are about the same height. As they grow close to each other across the hall, local people think they are like a good couple inside. Therefore, the shrine calls these sacred trees Meoto-kusu (a couple of camphor trees). These trees are designated as registered natural monuments in Katsushika Ward, by the way.

Sacred Hourses

This shrine has three horses called Shimme (神馬). Shimme horses are sacred horses that deities ride. But, there are not many shrines with Shimme horses nowadays because of various reasons. Therefore, the Shimme horses of this shrine are precious.

The Shimme horses are for Shinto rituals like Shichi-go-san, a traditional Japanese rite of passage for children. Here at Kumano Shrine, they attend events at the kindergarten right next to the shrine.

Yuzuru Hanyu

Kumano Shrine is the sacred site among fans of Yuzuru Hanyū, a figure skating player. This is because he used a piece of music titled “SEIMEI” from the Japanese movie “Onmyōji” for his performance in 2015.

His fans visited this shrine to pray for him from all over Japan and overseas for a while. Even now, many fans write their prayers about him on Ema votive tablets and dedicate them to the shrine.

Other Useful Information

Opening Hours

  • From 09:00 to 16:00

TEL

  • 03-3693-5623

Address

  • Tateishi 8-44-31, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo 124-0012

Google Map

Public Transport (Train)

  • 10 minutes on foot from Aoto Station on the Keisei Line
  • 13 minutes on foot from Tateishi Station on the Keisei Line

Public Restroom Availability

Yes. You can use one at the shrine office.

References

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