Towatari Shrine


Towatari Shrine, also known as Nobuto Shrine, is a Shinto shrine located in Nobuto, Chūō-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Originally a branch temple of Kongojū-ji, a temple to the Buddhist deity Myōken founded by the Chiba clan, it was converted into a Shinto shrine during the mid-19th century.

Deities

The shrine is dedicated to the three deities of creation of classical Japanese mythology: Ame-no-Minakanushi, Takamimusubi, and Kamimusubi. Enshrined together with them is Ame-no-Hiwashi, originally the deity of a nearby shrine that was merged into Nobuto Shrine in 1908.

History

The shrine was originally founded in 1644 by Chiba Sadatane, 33rd head of the Chiba clan, as a Buddhist temple named Hakujasan Shinkō-in Jōin-ji. It was a branch temple or matsuji of Kongojū-ji, a temple dedicated to Myōken, the Buddhist deification of the Big Dipper and/or the northern pole star revered by the Chiba clan as their patron deity.
In 1867, the temple became a Shinto shrine dedicated to the gods Ame-no-Minakanushi, Takamimusubi, and Kamimusubi and renamed "Towatari Shrine".
In 1990, the shrine's honden was moved to its present location and a new hei-''haiden'' constructed in front of it.

Structures

  • 'Honden'''''