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History of Matsudo Jinja

Welcome to Matsudo Jinja (Shinto shrine). Matsudo Jinja is the biggest Shinto shrine in Matsudo city. Matsudo comes from Machido, which means meeting points. This style of this shrine is called Nagare, which has been here for about 400 years. This is the story of Matsudo Jinja’s birth. 　 　　Matsudo Jinja is the sacred place of Prince Yamato Takeru, the legendary prince of Yamato dynasty. Prince Yamato is the son of Keiko of Yamato, a legendary monarch who is traditionally counted as the 12th Emperor of Japan. The tragic tale of this impressive figure is told in the Japanese chronicles Kojiki and Nihonshoki. He died somewhere in Ise province, and after his death his soul turned into a great white bird and flew away. 　 　　In 110, Prince Yamato Takeru came to East Japan, where he met Kibino Takehiko and Otomono Takenomuraji. At that time, he made a camp where this Jinja was built. 　 　　In 1626, this Jinja was rebuilt after Mito Mitskuni (Tokugawa Mitsukuni), second shogun (tycoon.) Mitsukuni came to this shrine, and found a white bird on the Meidenhair tree. He asked attendances to shoot the bird even thought they said it was not necessary to kill. Therefore, he tried to shoot the bird himself but the bow snapped. Mitukuni dedicated his bow to this Jinja, because he got frightened. Like the bow, there are a lot of objects dedicated from the house of Mito (Tokugawa). 　 　　Since 1711, however, numerous natural disasters in separate occasions destroyed this Jinjya. But, each time the Jinjya was destroyed, the priests were rebuilt it. Consequently, there are few historical objects left at this moment. The last time the Jinja was rebuilt was in 1863, so this Jinja in particular is about 300 years old. 　 　　The most important ceremony for our Jinja is called Reitaisai. It occurs annually on October 18th. And once in every five to six years we have Shinkosai, which is an event that brings 800 people together for a walk in honor of saving God’s glace and everyone’s happiness. This is done with Shijin (The Four symbols): Azure Dragon of East, Vermilion Bird of the South, White tiger of the West, and Black Tortoise of North. 　　　In 2006, Takahito, Prince Mikasa came to worship Matsudo Jinja and planted a tree. 　 　　This is history of Matsudo Jinja. We hope you have enjoyed. Thank you for coming to Matsudo Jinja. We wish your all happiness. Matsudo Jinja 1457,Matsudo,Matsudo-shi,Chiba 270-0092 Japan Published in February 2012

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