Akagi Shrine’s Grand Festival in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku: Honoring One of Edo’s Three Great Shrines
The Grand Festival of Akagi Shrine, located in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, was held on September 19th (Thursday), 21st (Saturday), and 22nd (Sunday), 2024. The Grand Festival is the most important ritual performed annually at a shrine.
In Shinto, a wide range of entities that inspire awe and reverence are worshipped as deities, reflecting a strong animistic aspect. Akagi Shrine originated from the mountain worship of Mount Akagi in Gunma Prefecture. The shrine was founded in 1300 in Ushigome Waseda and was relocated to its current location in Kagurazaka in 1555. In 1683, the Tokugawa Shogunate (Edo era: 1603-1868) revered Akagi Shrine as the guardian deity of Ushigome, and it became known as one of the "Three Great Shrines of Edo," along with Hie Shrine and Kanda Myojin.
At Akagi Shrine, Iwatsutsuo no Mikoto and Akagi Hime no Mikoto are enshrined. Iwatsutsuo no Mikoto is a deity born from the blood of Kagutsuchi, the fire god who caused the death of his mother Izanami, as recounted in the "Kojiki." Akagi Hime no Mikoto is a dragon deity of Akagi's pond, also known as Akagi Daimyojin. Akagi Hime no Mikoto is said to be a goddess who grants the wishes of women, making Akagi Shrine particularly popular among women.
An Enchanting Fusion of Tradition and Art at Akagi Shrine’s Grand Festival
On September 19th, 2024, the Grand Festival Ceremony was held at 2:00 PM. Despite the hot weather, the ceremony was solemn and dignified. On the 21st and 22nd, a dedicatory performance titled "The Butterfly Dance of the Night" featured a fusion of Miko (shrine maidens), taiko drummers, and stunning visuals, creating an ethereal world with Akagi Shrine's genuine Miko as the main characters.
Experience the Vibrant Atmosphere and Deep Community Faith at Akagi Shrine
As seen in the photos, there were many Yatai (food stalls), and the turnout was much higher than expected, making it a lively and bustling festival. Although Akagi Shrine is one of the great shrines of Edo, it is now a local shrine deeply revered by the community. While it is not widely known among tourists, this makes it a wonderful place to experience the deep faith of the local residents.
Join Us Next September: Explore Kagurazaka’s Authentic Shrine Festivals
To all foreign travelers, I encourage you to visit Kagurazaka next September to experience the Grand Festivals of the two shrines in the area, Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine and Akagi Shrine. Small, local festivals that are loved by the community are crucial for understanding Japanese history, culture, and spiritual structure. They are entirely different from commercialized festivals.
If you have concerns about navigating Kagurazaka or the Japanese language, I highly recommend our English-speaking guide service. Our guides, who are well-versed in Kagurazaka and knowledgeable about Japanese traditional culture, will be your perfect companions. After just two hours with our guide, you’ll become a well-informed foreigner on Japanese culture. It’s sure to be one of the best memories of your trip to Japan.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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