Matsuo Okami (松尾大神) is a Shinto shrine located in the Imajuku area of Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The shrine enshrines the kami (deity) Oyama-Kui-no-Kami (大山咋命) and is a kenmu-sha (jointly administered shrine) of Tsurumine Hachimangu.
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| Matsuo Okami's bell tower (left) and haiden (worship hall) (right) |
To the west of the main shrine building stands a small structure that houses two subordinate shrines: Gion-sha (祇園社), enshrining Susanoo-no-Mikoto (素戔嗚尊), and Tenman-sha (天満社), enshrining Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真).
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| Gion-sha and Tenman-sha |
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| Dosojin |
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Koshin-to
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A couple of stone monuments can also be found on the premises, including a Dosojin (guardian deities of travelers, relationships, and communities) at the entrance and two koshin-to (stone markers erected by followers of the Koshin faith as expressions of devotion), engraved with the three wise monkeys, located near the Matsuo Okami shrine building. One of the koshin-to is inscribed with the date "延寶八庚申年 九月吉日," which corresponds to October 1680.
Perhaps less widely known, the shrine is also home to two large cherry blossom trees.
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| One of Matsuo Okami's mikoshi in front of the cherry blossoms |
The mikoshi (a divine palanquin or a portable Shinto shrine) featured in the photo above was crafted by Yasunori Nakazato, who operates the nearby workshop "Mikoshi Yasu (神輿康)." Mikoshi Yasu has produced numerous mikoshi and lanterns, including one that was sent to Vancouver, Canada. Crafting a single mikoshi typically takes at least six months.
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A mikoshi at Mikoshi Yasu's workshop
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