⛩️ Tsushima Shrine

Tsushima Shrine is the head shrine of over 3,000 Tenjin shrines across Japan, dedicated to the main deity "Takeshitosu no Mikoto." Takeshitosu no Mikoto is a legendary figure known as the "God of War," revered by samurai leaders such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. The shrine features a unique architectural style known as "Owari-zukuri," with its main hall and worship hall distinctly designed. The ritual hall is situated between the main hall and the worship hall, and the three worship halls are connected by corridors, aligned symmetrically, making it a remarkable sight. Because Takeshitosu no Mikoto is worshipped as the God of War, he is also venerated by samurai leaders like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The "Rōmon" gate, built in 1591 and donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, is quite impressive; there is also a "Banshō" built to ward off evil spirits, and the "Nanmmon" gate, said to have been donated by Toyotomi Yoshiyasu in 1598 to pray for the recovery of his father Toyotomi Hideyoshi, among many other noteworthy attractions. The "Owari Tsushima Tenmō Festival" at Tsushima Shrine is held on the fourth Saturday and Sunday of July each year. This festival has a history of about 600 years. On the day of the festival, countless lanterns are lit, and the "Yoi Matsuri," which moves along the river, is particularly solemn. It has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and is also registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

There are over 3,000 main shrines of the Tenno Shrine across the country, deeply revered by warlords such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The shrine buildings preserve the unique architectural style of the region known as "Owari-zukuri." The festival held at Tsushima Shrine, called the "Owari Tsushima Tenno Festival," is particularly grand and solemn.