The main shrine of the historic Chichibu Jinja sits just beyond the vermilion gate

Main shrine of Chichibu Jinja seen beyond the gate

Chichibu Shrine has a long history, as it is mentioned in the Engishiki compiled in 927, and is the main shrine of the Chichibu region. According to tradition, it was built in the 10th year of Emperor Sujin. The year is 88 BC. It must be too old for the shrine to confidently say that it has a history of over 2000 years.

Regardless of whether the history of over 2,000 years is a historical fact or not, it is quite understandable that the Chichibu Shrine, which has a long history, enshrines Omoikane no Kami, Chichibuhiko no Miko, and Amaminakanushi no Kami, who may or may not have actually existed. However, the fact that Prince Chichibu Yasuhito, who was alive until recently (although recently is about 70 years ago) and whose photograph still remains, is enshrined alongside these mythical deities seems out of the blue.

There are shrines that enshrine people who lived in the modern era, such as Togo Shrine, which enshrines Heihachiro Togo, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, and Nogi Shrine, which enshrines Maresuke Nogi, who led the siege of Lushun during the Russo-Japanese War, so it is not unprecedented. However, both Togo Shrine and Nogi Shrine were built to enshrine the deceased.

Chichibu Shrine, on the other hand, as you can see from its long history, was not built to enshrine Prince Chichibu Yasuhito. The shrine was built to enshrine a mythical god, and Prince Chichibu was later enshrined there. I wondered if he would feel uncomfortable surrounded by his seniors, who were all quite different in age. The least that can be said for them is that they are all in the lineage of the heavenly deities.

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