Shirahata Jinja (白旗神社)

Shirahata Jinja

Shirahata Jinja (白旗神社) is a Shinto shrine located in the Fujisawa area of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, situated between National Route 1 and Kanagawa Prefectural Route 403. It is known for its wisteria in spring.

Shirahata Jinja's torii

The exact date of its founding is unclear, but records show it existed before the Kamakura period (1185–1333). At the time, it was called Samukawa Jinja (寒川神社) and enshrined Samukawahiko-no-Mikoto (寒川比古命), the kami (deity) of Samukawa-jinja Shrine.

The shrine also enshrines Minamoto no Yoshitsune (c. 1159–1189). After falling out of favor with his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199), Yoshitsune took his own life at Koromogawa-no-Tate in Hiraizumi, Oshu (modern-day Iwate Prefecture) on April 30, 1189. His head was sent to Kamakura by Nitta Takahira, and identified there by Wada Yoshimori (1147–1213) and Kajiwara Kagetoki (c. 1140–1200).

Statue of Minamoto no Yoshitsune

According to legend, the head of Yoshitsune's loyal retainer Benkei (1155–1189) was also sent at the same time. At night, the two heads are said to have traveled up the Shirahata River and arrived at this location.

Hello Kitty omikuji

When Yoritomo learned of Yoshitsune's death, he ordered his head to be enshrined here as "Shirahata Myojin" (白旗明神), named for the white flag symbol of the Minamoto clan. In 1752, the shrine was officially renamed Shirahata Jinja. Benkei's head was enshrined separately at Hachioji-sha, a nearby shrine.

Shirahata Jinja also enshrines Amaterasu Omikami (天照皇大神), Okuninushi-no-Mikoto (大国主命), Oyamatsumi-no-Mikoto (大山祇命), Kunisatsuchi-no-Mikoto (国狭槌命), and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊).

In celebration of the year of the rabbit, Shirahata Jinja has displayed a large ema (wooden plaque written with prayers or wishes) featuring rabbits and Ushiwakamaru, the childhood name of Yoshitsune, leaping between boats. Additionally, the shrine is offering omikuji (fortune slips) featuring Hello Kitty dressed as a rabbit.

Large ema of rabbits and Ushiwakamaru

The shrine is also part of the Fujisawa Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods), enshrining Bishamonten (毘沙門天) in the Kito-den (祈祷殿).

Kito-den

Next to the torii (shrine gate) is a small subordinate shrine of Shirahata Benzaiten (白旗辨財天).

Shirahata Benzaiten

To the west of Shirahata Jinja's shrine building are two relocated Inari shrines: Moriwaki Inari Jinja (森脇稲荷神社) and Ryoke Inari Jinja (領家稲荷神社). They originally stood in the Moriwaki-cho and Ryoke-cho areas, but were relocated to within the grounds of Shirahata Jinja due to area redevelopment.

Moriwaki Inari Jinja and Ryoke Inari Jinja