A sacred place for the popular anime "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba"? A thorough explanation of the charms of Okayama"Waki Shrine"

Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Site

• Table of Contents
• What is Wake Shrine?
• First, worship! Purify yourself at the Chozuya (purification fountain)
• A spectacular shrine building! Beautiful architecture created by the best carpenter in the Kansai region
• The reason why it is said to be the holy land of Demon Slayer
• Demon Slayer Point 1: Wild Boar
• Demon Slayer Point 2: Wisteria
• Demon Slayer Point 3: The legend of the "Kasumi Bridge" and "Thunder"
• A cute cherry blossom lace charm
• Delicate paper cutting of red seal
• A warm message from the chief priest
• Colors of the Seasons
• Location, opening hours, and access
• Conclusion

What is Wake Shrine?

Wake Shrine has a long history, and although the exact year it was founded is unknown, it is believed to date back to the Nara period (710-794). In 1590, during the Sengoku period, the shrine building that had been located at the confluence of the two rivers was washed away by a flood and was moved to its current location. It is a historic shrine that has been carefully protected by local people throughout its long history.

The worshipped deity

Wake Shrine enshrines the eight gods of the Wake clan. "Hashira" is a unit of measurement for counting gods. The most famous are Wake no Wake , who played an active role in the " Usa Hachiman Shrine Oracle Incident" (a political incident that occurred during the Nara period), and Wake Wake Hiromushihime, who is said to have opened Japan's first orphanage. For this reason, Wake Kiyomaro is widely worshipped as the god who protects the health of the legs and hips, and Wake no Wake as the guardian deity of children.

First, worship! Purify yourself at the Chozuya (purification fountain)

Let's start praying right away. At Japanese shrines, the proper way to begin is to purify yourself at the temizuya (a place where you purify your hands and mouth before praying).

①First, hold the ladle (a tool used to scoop water) in your right hand and rinse your left hand.

②Next, change hands and rinse your right hand.

③ Hold the ladle in your right hand again and pour some water into your left hand to rinse your mouth. When you're done rinsing, quietly and silently pour the water back into its place or cover it with your hand and let it pour down the drain.

④Rinse your left hand again.

⑤Finally, hold the ladle upright to allow the remaining water to pour down the handle and then return it to its original place.

Don't worry if it's your first time here, as there are easy-to-understand signs posted at the shrine explaining the proper etiquette.

Pray at the worship hall

After purifying yourself at the Chozuya (purification fountain), proceed to the Haiden (a building where people pay respects to the gods) and offer your prayers.

① After giving a slight bow, place your offering (saisen: monetary offering) in the offering box.

② Bow twice.

③ Clap your hands twice.

④With your hands still together, quietly express your gratitude and make your wish in your heart.

⑤Finally, bow once.

At Japanese shrines, it is said that it is more important to convey your everyday gratitude to the gods than to make wishes.

Visiting a Sub-shrine

After praying at the worship hall, why not also visit the subordinate shrines (small shrines located around the main hall).

There are four subordinate shrines enshrined here, including Inari-sama (the god of business prosperity) and Tenjin-sama (the god of learning). The Tenjin shrine here has beautiful carvings of plum blossoms and nightingales, named after Sugawara no Michizane (the name Tenjin-sama had when he was human). The Ishigaki behind it was built by a stonemason who also worked on the Ishigaki of Okayama Korakuen Garden(one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, located in Okayama City ). The intricate way the stones are put together is astonishing.

A spectacular shrine building! Beautiful architecture created by the best carpenter in the Kansai region

The main shrine buildings, which are connected from the front to the back with the worship hall, the Tsuri-den and the Heiden, are one of the main attractions! This shrine building was rebuilt in 1885 by a group of Oku carpenters led by Tabuchi Katsuyoshi, who was known as the "best carpenter in Kansai." The buildings were not rebuilt separately, but as a series, so try to feel the beautiful unity of the whole. I visited Waki ​​Shrine because I was interested in it after watching "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," and I was impressed to be able to experience such wonderful traditional architecture and history.

Enjoy the intricate carvings and architectural beauty of the main hall up close!

You can also get a close-up look at the carvings on the main hall (offering hall). Take a look at this intricate carving and architecture. You can see that the size gradually increases towards the roof, and in fact no nails were used. This is a traditional Japanese wooden construction technique called "kigumi," which joins pieces of wood together without using nails.

If you look closely, you will also find rabbits, elephants, and kirin (a mythical beast) carved into the stone, so be sure to look for them.

The reason why it is said to be the holy land of Demon Slayer

At Waki ​​Shrine, there is a dance performed wearing a boar mask! Speaking of boar masks... that's right! There is a character called Hashibira Inosuke from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Ino." He is a popular character who always wears a boar mask.

Demon Slayer Point 1: Wild Boar

The boar motif is reminiscent of Inosuke. The guardian lion statues (guardian beasts usually placed in pairs at the entrance of a shrine) at Wake Shrine are actually boar statues. Why boars? It comes from an anecdote about the Wake prince, Wake no Kiyomaro.

When Kiyomaro went to pray at Usa Hachimangu Shrine, he was unable to move his legs and had to ride in a palanquin (a vehicle for carrying people). At that time, 300 wild boars appeared and guided him along the way. After he was able to safely reach the shrine, he was able to walk again, and from this story, wild boars became the guardian deities of Kiyomaro.

These are the Koma-boils in front of the worship hall. There are also Koma-boils guarding the grounds in front of the torii (the gate at the entrance to a shrine).

Petting the Pig

This is a "Patted Boar." It was donated by Kimura Gyokushu, a Bizen Pottery(traditional Japanese pottery made in eastern Okayama Prefecture) artist, and is made in Kimura's unique "white Bizen" color. Regular Bizen Pottery has a darker Aka brown color, but white Bizen has a gentler texture. The cuteness of the sleeping mother boar and baby boar is heartwarming. And there are many small boars around! This is the china (a general term for ceramics) that comes with the fortune slip. Be sure to try your luck with the fortune slip too.

Wild boar on the bridge

The Watado, which connects the main hall and the offering hall, was renovated this year. It also features boar carvings. This Watado was the first attempt at crowdfunding (a method of raising funds through the Internet) and was completed just last month. Maintaining a historic shrine is a very difficult task.

The fact that we are able to see such beautiful architecture and carvings, and that we can visit such a spiritually pure place, is all thanks to the efforts of the chief priest (the person in charge of the shrine), the shrine staff, the parishioners (the local residents who support the shrine), and the local community. I felt a renewed sense of gratitude for all that they have done.

Demon Slayer Point 2: Wisteria

Right next to the shrine is Fuji Park, which boasts the largest variety of wisteria in Japan. In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, wisteria is a key item that repels demons. In the anime, a place called Fujikasaneyama appears, and wisteria flower family crests and wisteria scent sachets play important roles. The wisteria in Fuji Park is truly magnificent, and looking at the wisteria flowers hanging from the shelves makes you feel like you're in the world of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Demon Slayer Point 3: The legend of the "Kasumi Bridge" and "Thunder"

Inosuke's boar is not the only related point. The bridge leading to the shrine is the "Kasumi Bridge," which is said to be "on the Sakai between the secular world and the sacred world." Speaking of mist, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" also features something called "Mist Breathing" (a combat technique that appears in the work). There is also an anecdote about the monk Dokyo (a powerful monk from the Nara period) who was attacked by assassins while plotting to assassinate Lord Kiyomaro, but was saved by a violent thunderstorm. This also reminds us of the "Thunder Breathing" from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba."

A cute cherry blossom lace charm

Once you've finished praying, you can receive a charm or a goshuin (a stamp with the name of the shrine and the date written on it as proof of your visit) at the shrine office (shamusho: the shrine office), and you can also draw a fortune.

In fact, the sacred crest (symbol mark of the shrine) of "Wake Shrine" is a mountain cherry blossom. Please look for the cherry blossom crest in various places in the shrine grounds. The cherry blossom crest is also used on the nail cover (kugikakushi: a decorative part that hides nails).

Delicate paper cutting of red seal

In addition to the regular Goshuin, you can also get the "Monthly Goshuin" and the "Paper Cutout Goshuin" that changes with the seasons. The delicate and gorgeous cherry blossoms and the boar that is characteristic of "Waki Shrine" are delightful. From late April, a special Goshuin with a wisteria motif will be distributed.

A warm message from the chief priest

This time, Wake Shrine's chief priest, Komori Kunihiko, gave us a detailed explanation of the shrine's history and architecture. "The location is rich in nature, so I hope you can feel the change of the seasons. There are camellias, cherry blossoms, and in the fall, there is a maple leaf garden. I hope you will visit the shrine to receive divine blessings and to develop an emotional connection and faith in the shrine," he said, giving a message to those who will be visiting the shrine in the future.

Colors of the Seasons

As the chief priest said, the seasonal flowers at this shrine were also very beautiful. When I visited, the grounds were decorated with camellia flowers (a traditional Japanese flower that blooms from winter to spring). Camellias are often seen in Aka or white, but this is a rare pink camellia called "Taro Kaja." After the camellias bloom, the cherry blossoms bloom in full bloom at "Horan-en" at the entrance, and then you can enjoy the magnificent wisteria at the neighboring "Fuji Park." In addition, in autumn, you can enjoy the autumn leaves at "Akiue-en" that surrounds the shrine.

Location, opening hours, and access

There is a large parking lot that can be used together with the neighboring Fuji Park, so you can visit the shrine by car with peace of mind.

*The surrounding roads and parking lots are expected to be congested during the Wisteria Festival.

[Waki Shrine]

Address: 1385 Okayama Prefecture cho , Wake Town gun, Wake County

TEL: 0869-93-3910

*The gift shop is open from 9:00 to 16:30.

*Prayer hours: 9:00-16:00

Parking: 600 spaces for regular cars, 10 spaces for large cars

【Access】

By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Wake IC on the Sanyo Expressway

Public transportation: From JR Wake Station, take the bus bound for Sunakogumi-mae for about 20 minutes, get off at "Fuji Park", then walk for about 2 minutes

Wake Shrine (Wake Shrine)

709-0412 1385 Fujino, Wake-cho, Wake-gun, Okayama Prefecture

Conclusion

What did you think? Waki ​​Shrine, said to be the holy land of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," is a beautiful, historic, and charming shrine when you actually visit it. I couldn't write about it this time, but the architecture, which makes full use of traditional craftsmanship, is also very impressive. Please come and worship at the shrine to experience this moving experience for yourself.