Kasuga Jinja (春日神社)

Kasuga Jinja

Kasuga Jinja (春日神社) is a Shinto shrine located in the Hiratsuka district of Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture. The Kasuga Jinja Engi, dated June of Joo 3 (1654), states that the shrine was originally known as Hiratsuka-san Kurobegu (平塚山黒部宮) and was designated as a prayer site for the consecration of the Sagami River Bridge by Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199) in 1911. The record also notes that on August 9 of Kenkyu 3 (corresponding to September 17, 1192), a sacred horse was offered and prayers for a safe childbirth were conducted for the wife of the shogun, who had gone into labor.

The shrine originally stood south of the current location, closer to the ocean, but was relocated to its current location due to repeated damage from high waves.

A unique pair of komainu (guardian lion-dog) stands before the second torii (shrine gate) of Kasuga Jinja. It was donated in 1843 by Yonetaya Tsuneemon bearing the signature of stonemason Izutsuya Sentaro from Takasago-cho, Edo. The a-gyo (opened-mouth) komainu is depicted nursing its cub, while the un-gyo (closed-mouth) komainu is shown cradling its cub with its foot, an uncommon representation of komainu.

Subordinate Shrines

Kasuga Inari Jinja (春日稲荷神社)

Kasuga Inari Jinja

Kasuga Inari Jinja (春日稲荷神社) is an Inari shrine standing east of Kasuga Jinja. The shrine's sign explains that its blessings include family safety, business prosperity, and protection from fire disasters, as well as preventing family collapse due to indulgence in extramarital affairs.

Kasuga Ryugu-sha (春日龍宮社)

Kasuga Ryugu-sha

Kasuga Ryugu-sha (春日龍宮社) stands within a pond called Ryujin-ike (龍神池) and enshrines the kami Itsukishimahime-no-mikoto (市杵島姫神), Tagorihime-no-mikoto (田心姫神), and Tagitsuhime-no-mikoto (湍津姫神).

Kasuga Ryuo Jinja (春日龍王神社)

Kasuga Ryuo Jinja

Kasuga Tenmangu (春日天満宮)

Kasuga Tenmangu

Bishamonsonten-sha (毘沙門尊天社)

Bishamonsonten-sha

Myogi Jinja (妙義神社), Hoso Jinja (疱瘡神社) & Sanno Jinja (山王神社)

Myogi Jinja, Hoso Jinja, and Sanno Jinja

Myogi Jinja (妙義神社) enshrines the kami of misfortunes and protection from evil. Hoso Jinja (疱瘡神社) enshrines the kami of epidemics and contagious diseases. Sanno Jinja (山王神社) enshrines the kami of medicine and medical treatments.

Tenjinchigi-sha (天神地祇社)

Tenjinchigi-sha

Tenjinchigi-sha (天神地祇社) enshrines the kami of Kotohira-sha (金刀比羅社), Sumiyoshi Jinja (住吉神社), Mitake Jinja (御嶽神社), Sainokami-no-yashiro (幸神社), Doso Jinja (道祖神社), Hakusan Jinja (白山神社), and Kurobegu (黒部宮).