Katori Jingū 香取神宮 |
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The haiden, or prayer hall of Katori Shrine
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Information | |
Type |
Shikinaisya Shimousa no Kuni Former kanpeitaisha Chokusaisha Beppyo jinja |
Dedicated to |
Futsunushi Iwainushi |
Founded | 642 BC (traditional) |
Reisai | Reisai, Shinkosai (April 14th) |
Honden style | Sangensya-Nagare-zukuri |
Address | 1697 Katori, Katori Chiba Prefecture 287-0017 |
Website | www |
Glossary of Shinto |
The Katori Shrine (香取神宮 Katori Jingū?) is a Shintō shrine in the city of Katori in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is the ichinomiya of former Shimōsa Province, and is the head shrine of the approximately 400 Katori shrines around the country (located primarily in the Kantō region).
The main festival of the shrine is held annually on April 14, with a three-day Grand Festival held every 12 years.
The primary kami of Katori Shrine is Futsunushi (経津主神 Futsunushi-no-kami?), the kami of swords and lightning, and a general of Amaterasu.
The foundation of Katori Shrine predates the historical period. Per the Hitachi Fudoki, an ancient record and per shrine tradition, it was established in 643 BC, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Jimmu. During this period, the Ō clan (多氏 Ō-shi?) migrated from Higo Province in Kyushu, conquering local emishi tribes, and forming an alliance with the nearby Nakatomi clan, the progenitors of the Fujiwara clan at what is now Kashima Jingū.