Katsushika Hachimangu, the chief Shinto shrine of Shimousa Province, is a shrine with a long history

Man paying his respects at Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine

Many people may think that Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine is located in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo, where 'Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo' was set. But it is not. If it is not in Katsushika Ward, it is not in Tokyo either. I decided to visit Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine at Motoyawata Station on the Sobu Line. Yes, Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine is located in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture.

Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine is said to have been built during the Kanpei period (889-898) and is considered to be the chief guardian of the Shimousa region. I was curious as to why a shrine in Chiba Prefecture would take the name Katsushika, a place name in Tokyo, so I looked it up and discovered that my understanding was wrong. I was wrong in thinking that the place name Katsushika itself belonged to Tokyo (Musashi Province). Although Katsushika Ward belongs to Tokyo now, it was originally part of Shimousa Province, a long-established place name. In the 1600s, the western part of Katsushika was incorporated into Musashi Province, and as a result, Katsushika was divided into Tokyo and Chiba Prefecture.

Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine is still located in Chiba Prefecture because it is located in the area that was not incorporated into Musashi Province. That is why it was necessary to go to Motoyawata Station on the Sobu Line to visit Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine. The Katsushika that comes to mind when one hears the name Katsushika Hachimangu Shrine is a relative of Katsushika Ward in Tokyo, which parted company with Katsushika Ward a long time ago.

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