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Intricate Carvings and Enduring Traditions of Ose Shrine
精巧な彫刻が施された大瀬神社の本殿
According to traditional stories passed down through generations, the shrine was founded in 684. However, no surviving records confirm the exact year of its establishment.
Today, the shrine enshrines Hikitajikara-no-Mikoto (引手力命), a guardian deity of the sea. For centuries, fishermen navigating the formidable depths of Suruga Bay have worshipped here, holding annual festivals to pray for bountiful catches and safety at sea.
The upper woodwork beneath the eaves showcases exquisite craftsmanship. Among the carvings are two long-nosed, semi-divine figures known as yamabushi tengu (山仏師天狗), a warrior wielding swords and a folding fan, and delicately rendered trees—resembling pine or juniper—alongside a bird figure that, to my eye, may represent a phoenix.
The yamabushi tengu, often seen in carvings at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, are long-nosed supernatural beings said to inhabit mountains. They typically have wings, enabling them to fly, and are believed to possess magical powers used for both benevolent and malevolent purposes.
Historically, tengu were regarded as demonic figures and enemies of Buddhism—an interpretation that echoes their origin in Chinese folklore, where they were considered inauspicious omens. One theory suggests tengu were believed to be reincarnated Buddhist priests who had succumbed to pride and arrogance.
Beginning in the Edo period (1603–1868), the image of the tengu began to soften. They transformed from fearsome bird-like monsters into more human-like beings with long noses. Over time, some communities came to revere tengu as protectors capable of preventing disasters such as forest fires, and as enforcers of humility, punishing those who displayed excessive pride.
These intricate carvings and enduring traditions are more than artistic expressions, they embody centuries of spiritual devotion and cultural storytelling that help explain the natural world. Whether you’re interested in mythology, Japanese history, or religious architecture, many Shinto shrine offer a captivating window into Japan’s spiritual and artistic legacy.
- Location: Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
- Timestamp: 2025/03/19・10:31
- Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
- 28 mm ISO 800 for 1/160 sec. at ƒ/5.6
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