Tsubakikishi Shrine

Distinguished History of Tsubakikishi Shrine

Enshrinement place

684 Chishaku, Yokkaichi city, Mie Prefecture, Japan

Worshipped deities

Amanouzume no Mikoto (the celestial goddess in Japanese Shinto)
Sarutahiko Ookami (the leader of the earthly God)
Amaterasu Oomikami (the celestial sun goddess)

Origin of Foundation

A long time ago, when ocean water from Ise Bay entered the Chishaku region and made ripples, our ancestors started life in the highland, called Bouzuo. At that time, they made a pure space, welcomed Ookami (god) who protected their land, and worshipped; that was the origin of Tsubakikishi Shrine. Now that place is called Tsubakio of Aza Kawachigara.

History of Shrine

The water source originated from the Suzuka mountain, River Mitaki and River Yagou brought and accumulated a sediment year by year and the coastline became distant at this area. At that time when Japan held national, many people started to live this area. With few details due to few books surviving to modern day, the local history was found on the old document written in Tenpei 20, about 1250 years ago, stored at Daian Temple in Nara, where there were 60-cho (147 Acre) rice and veggies fields around the Tsubakikishi shrine area.

In this way, the Sakura region was developed, and it thrived in commerce, settled houses, built Chisahkudai temple and became a cultural centre. About 1100 years ago, National appointed a shrine in this area and it shined through the large influence of God.

The time passed, and around 450 years ago, when the long-worshipped shrine at Tsubakio was war-torn, the village was relocated to the east. The shrine became located at the edge of region and distance from the village, and it became inconvenient for holding festivals and visits among village people. The shrine parishioners from 7 districts (Sakura, Chishaku, Isshiki, Mori, Akozu, Ebihara, Hirao) got together and had a meeting. As a result of consultation, the shrine was moved to the centre of the village at the same place as the present location.

Parishioners brought celestial soil from each district, mounded it, planted trees, and built a shrine and moved Ookami (god). Soil texture at the present shrine was gathered from seven districts. Since then, this shrine is called the united 7 districts shrine; the parishioners from 7 districts were venerated even more.

United Shrine of 7 districts

Tsubakikishi shrine was called the 7 districts united shrine long time ago. 7 districts are Sakura village, Chishaku village, Isshiki village, Mori village (Kamori at Komono town), Akatsu village (Akozu), Ebihara village (Kamiebi/Shimoebi), and Hirao village. The Tsubakikishi shrine unites the 7 local gods.