Saiki Jinja (妻木神社)

Saiki Jinja's torii

Saiki Jinja

In the southern part of the Saiki area of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, is a small forest surrounded by rice fields, farmland, and residential streets. A stone torii (shrine gate) stands at the western edge of the forest, marking the entrance to Saiki Jinja (妻木神社), a local Shinto shrine.

Saiki Jinja was formed in 1970 through the merger of three older local shrines: Suwa Jinja (諏訪神社), Kashima Jinja (鹿島神社), and Tenjin-sha (天神社). The three shrines are believed to have been founded during the Tensho era (1573–1592).

Suwa Jinja enshrined Takeminakata-no-Mikoto (建御名方命), a kami (deity) associated with Suwa worship. Kashima Jinja enshrined Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto (武甕槌命), the principal kami of Kashima Jinja. Tenjin-sha enshrined Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真), the historical scholar and court official traditionally associated with Tenjin worship.

Plans to merge the three shrines had been discussed for many years. After the establishment of Tsukuba Science City was approved in 1963, the merger project gained momentum. In 1970, the three shrines were finally consolidated to form the present Saiki Jinja.

In addition, six small stone shrines stand around Saiki Jinja within the surrounding forest.