Hokkaidō Shrine

The Hokkaidō Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō Jingū) is a Shinto shrine located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Sited in Maruyama Park, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Shrine enshrines four kami including the soul of the Emperor Meiji. A number of early explorers of Hokkaidō such as Mamiya Rinzō are also enshrined.

Hokkaidō Shrine (北海道神宮, Hokkaidō Jingū)
Hokkaido Shrine
Religion
AffiliationShinto
DeityŌkunitama, Ōkuninushi, and Sukunahikona
Location
LocationMaruyama Park, Chūō-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
Shown within Japan
Geographic coordinates43°3′15.24697″N 141°18′27.73923″E
Architecture
Date established1871
Glossary of Shinto

History

In 1869, by an order of the Emperor Meiji, a ceremony to enshrine three kami (Shinto deities); Ōkunitama, Ōkuninushi, and Sukunahikona, was held in Tokyo. They were enshrined as the three deities of the Hokkaido reclamation (開拓三神, Kaitaku Sanjin), and they were later moved to Sapporo by officers in the Kaitakushi, the previous government of Hokkaidō prefecture.[1] An interim building of the shrine for three kami was constructed in 1870 in Sapporo, although its location was different from the current point where the Hokkaidō Shrine stands. In 1871, the shrine was erected in its current place and named "Sapporo Shrine" (Sapporo Jinja),[1] and on September 14 an inaugural ceremony was held. From 1889 through 1946, Sapporo-jinja was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.[2]

The soul of the Emperor Meiji was newly enshrined there in 1964, and the building was officially renamed to the current "Hokkaido Shrine".[1] The building was destroyed by a fire in 1974, and later restored in 1978.

Overview

The area of the Hokkaido Shrine is 180,000 m²,[1] and is adjacent to Maruyama Park. During the season which cherry blossoms in the area bloom, the shrine is crowded with people enjoying Hanami. Many people also visit the shrine during Japanese New Year to go Hatsumōde.

From June 14 to 16 in every year, the Main festival of Hokkaido Shrine, also called "Sapporo Festival" (Sapporo Matsuri), is held, and the line of people bearing Mikoshi parades down the street which leads to the shrine. It also manages a Scouting activities.[3]

See also

Notes
  1. Hokkaido Jinga, History of the Hokkaido Jingu and kami Archived 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1963). The Vicissitudes of Shinto, p. 328.
  3. 1st Boyscouting in Sapporo Archived 2007-11-02 at the Wayback Machine

References


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