Shinmeigū (神明宮)

Shinmeigu's torii (shrine gate)

Shinmeigu

In the Jukkenzaka area of Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, stands a Shinto shrine called Shinmeigu (神明宮), which enshrines the kami (deity) Amaterasu Omikami (天照大神). It is a kenmu-sha (a jointly administered shrine) of Dairokuten Jinja, also located in the Jukkenzaka area. The shrine also takes part in the Hamaori Festival held annually on Marine Day.

In front of the shrine building are two koshin-to (stone markers erected by followers of the Koshin faith as expressions of devotion).

Koshin-to

The one on the left is carved with an image of a four-armed Shomen Kongo (青面金剛) — the Blue-Faced Vajra Deity — accompanied by two monkeys, and bears an inscription dated Meireki 4 (1658). It is designated as a Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Kanagawa Prefecture. The one on the right is carved with an image of a six-armed Shomen Kongo with three monkeys.