沼名前神社
1225 Ushiroji,Tomo-cho,Fukuyama-shi,Hiroshima-ken,Japan
Tel:084-982-2050

720-0202

Fax:084-982-2065

Shrine under Engi Enforcement Regulations(Engi Era: 901-923)

Summary of the History of Nunakuma Jinja(Shrine)

Dedicated to: Ohwatatsumi-no-mikoto
Susanoo-no-mikoto-1-《Origin》
The origin of Nunakuma Jinja dates back approximately 1,700 years and more,to thesecond year of the era of Chuai,the 14th Em peror. When Em press Jingu made a call at
this creek during her journey to the western provinces by sea, she dedicated this shrine
to Ohwatathumi-no-mikoto to wish for safety along the sea route.
Susanoo-no-mik oto is enshrined in many places in Japan and is often referred toaffectionately by local peoples as Gion-san or Tennoh-san .Although the age when
this god was enshrined in our shrine and other details are unknown, it is certain fromthe Ancient Topography of Bingo, folklore, legend and many other materials that thehistory of enshrinem ent goes back to tim es immem orial.
On the 14th of May, 1871, this shrine was designated as one of the nine honorable
national shrine in Hiroshim a Prefecture. In conjunction with the reformation ofgovernment organization in 1946, when all the shrine were placed under the control of
Jinja-Honcho(the Association of Shinto Shrines) under the Religious Corporation Law,
this shrine was given a special rank as a former honorable national shrine.

《Virtues of the two gods》
Ohwatatsum i-no-mik oto is a god who governs maritime affairs and is widely
worshipped, in particular by people who travel by sea and who operate fisheries.
Susanoo-no-mik oto is a god who prevents and dispels diseases and is also a guardian ofindustry. This god is also deified as the progenitor god of literature and academic
studies, who com posed the first31-syllable ode(tanka) in this country.

《Relationship of Nunakuma Shrine with the nam e of town

Tomo 》On her way back to the capital from the western provinces, Empress Jingu ordered theRoyal Ship to stop at this creek again. Revisiting the shrine which she dedicated toOhwatatsum i-no-mik oto in the previous year, the em press offered theTomo, anarcher’s wrist protector, which she always wore, as a token of her gratitude to the god
for protecting the party. The em press had her younger sister,Soraakitsuhim e-nomikoto, stay in this place to serve as the presiding priest. Since then, this creek has
been calld
Tomo-no-ura (creek of tomo). Soraakitsuhime-no-mikito is also calld
Yodohime-no-mikoto and has been enshrined in Yodohim e Shrine, which has stoodon the hill at the entrance of Tomo Port since times unknown.

Izu-no-Takatomo (a kind of cerem ony article)-2-《Major Festivals》
Gantan-sai(F estival of New Year’s Day)the 1st of January
Kinen-sai (Spring F estival)
the 17th of F ebruary
Rei-sai(Annual Festival)
the 2nd of May
Ohharae(Great Festival of Purification)
the 30th of June
Natsu-m atsuri(Summ er Festival)
Otebi-sai(Torch Festival)
Eve of Jink o-sai

Jinko-sai(F estival of God’s Outing)
2nd Sunday of June
Kanko-sai(Festival of God’s Return)
One week later
Aki-matsuri(Autumn Fesyival)
Friday~Sunday

just before the 3rd Monday of August

Meiji-sai(F estival of Culture)
the 3rd of November
Niiname-sai(F estival of Lobor Thanksgiving)the 23rd of N ovember
Oyumi-sai(F estival of Archers)
the 2 nd Saturday Sunday of February

Tsukihajim e-no-m imatsuri(Festival of Biginning of Month)
the 1st every m onth
Tsukinami-sai(Monthly Festival)
the 14th every month-3-《Information on Cultural Assets》【Noh Stage】 National important cultural property
The Noh Stage, a bequest of Hideyoshi Toyotomi(1536-98), was once stored within theFushimi Castle in Kyoto. When the castle was pulled down in the sixth year ofGenwa(1620), the stage was bestowed by Hidetada Tokugawa, the second shogun, onHyuganok ami Katsunari Mizuno, the lord of Fukuyama Castle.
It was later contributed to this shrine during the era ofBanji(approx. 310 years ago) and has been possessed by theshrine ever since. This is the only collapsible Noh stage existingin Japan. In 1953, it was designated as a national important
property and was repaired by dismantling in 1959.

【Second Torii (Shinto shrine archway)】 Prefectural important cultural property
This kind of torii is called a toribusum a-shape torii.
It was contributed by Katsushige, praying for the healthand longevity of his first son who had just been born.

【Stone Lanterns】 Municipal im portant cultural property
Located on the left and right sides of the Front Shrine,
these lanterns were contributed by Katsusada Mizuno in 1651,
soon after the news that his grandfather Katsunari wasvery sick reached him, to pray for his recovery.

【Others】
There are Noh masks, drum cylinders, guardian dogs, votive pictures, paleography andmore, but these are not open to public.

(2004. 10)-4-