Jul 28th,2018
Hikawa shrine is located in Kawagoe city, known as "Koedo (Small Edo)", in Saitama prefecture. Since the shrine's main deity are 2 pairs of gods who are couples, Susano-no-mikoto and Kushinadahime-no-mikoto, Ashinazuchi-no-mikoto and Tenazuchi-no-mikoto, it is known as a deity of "En-musubi (matchmaking)". Onamuchi-no-mikoto, who is known as a deity of matchmaking in Izumo-taisha shrine, is also deified and since these 5 gods are family, the Hikawa shrine is also worshipped as a deity of the well-being of the family and couple harmony.
Hikawa shrine is said to be founded during the Kofun period in 541. After Kawagoe castle was built nearby in 1457, it has long been worshipped as a tutelary deity of the castle town. Kawagoe Hikawa Festival also known as "Kawagoe Festival" is the "Reitaisai (an annual festival of the shrine)" of Hikawa shrine.
There are more than 200 Hikawa shrines based on the cult of Hikawa around Tokyo and Saitama, and the Hikawa shrine in Omiya, known as the grand head shrine of Hikawa shrines, is especially famous. In order to separate it from these shrines, it is often called Kawagoe Hikawa shrine.
"En-musubi furin" is held every summer from 2014. A "furin" is a traditional wind chime or wind bell. About 2000 "furin"s with strips of wood with wishes written on are hung throughout the shrine.
"En-musubi Furin" this year (2018) is held from Jul. 7th to Sep. 9th.
A visit to Hikawa shrine, where you can hear the sound of the wind carrying peoples wishes.
Hikawa shrine is located a little far from the main area known as "Koedo" in Kawagoe.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Hikawa shrine is just around the corner.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Going through the first torii, many "furin"s are hung here.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The colorful "furin"s are made of hand made glass.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
More than 2000 "furin"s are hung throughout the shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
From inside the shrine. This is the second torii. These "furin"s are hung between the first and second toriis.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The worship hall right in front on the second torii. The main hall, behind the worship hall, was built in 1849.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The shrine office on the left. Charms and "goshuin" are available here.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Goshuin book" of Hikawa shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Goshuin" of Hikawa shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Special "goshuin" which is only available during "En-musubi furin".
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Furin"s can be seen under the roof edge of the shrine office too.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Dance hall where "Kagura (ritual dances)" are performed.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Kakinomotonohikomaro shrine, an branch shrine next to the shrine office.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
On the left of the worship hall is the Yasaka shrine, another branch shrine. It was originally built inside the Edo castle in 1637 and was moved to the current location in 1872.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The building behind the red torii is the Hikawa kaikan. It is a wedding hall of the shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Sacred water drawn from a water vein under the shrine. The stone on the left is "Inu-iwa (Meaning: a stone that looks like a dog)". Since dogs have many babies it has been told it attracts good fortune for childbirth.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The sacred water flows as a small river where "Hitogata-nagashi", a ritual to expel impurities, can be performed.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
This "Otorii", big torii, is 15m high. It was built in 1990 and is made of ceder.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The "shingaku", carring the name of the shrine. The words were written by Kaishu Katsu.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The shrine seen from under the "Otorii".
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Furin"s under the "Otorii".
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Clear colored "furin"s are cool looking.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Near the "Otorii" is the Gokoku shrines, an branch shrine, dedicated to those who died in the wars.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Kumobishi", a diamond shaped cloud which is the emblem of the shrine, can be seen on lanterns hung under the roof of the corridor.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Many colorful "furin"s are hung next to the worship hall too.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The shape of the "furin"s differ a little and the tone colors differ too.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Tanzaku"s, strips of wood with wishes written on, are attached to the "furin"s.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The "Furin-kairo", a corridor of wind chimes, on the right side of the worship hall and main hall.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
It is said that the wind carries people's wishes and feelings. The sound of the "furin"s tell you the presence of the wind carring peoples wishes to the deities.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The main hall can be seen through the lattice work.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Behind the main hall is a pair of "goshinboku"s, sacred trees. Camphor trees estimated to be 600 years old.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
It is said that you should walk around the trees in the shape of the figure eight.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Furin"s can be seen in the forest behind the main hall too.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
On the left of the main hall is the "Ema tunnel", a corridor where "ema"s, wooden plaques which you write your wishes on, are hung.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Next to the "Ema tunnel" there are 21 branch shrines.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Nenogongensha, which shoes can be seen dedicated, is a deity of legs. Itsukushima shrine and Mizu shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Branch shrines such as Raiden shrine, Mitsumine shrine and Itsukushima shrine can be seen.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Where you tie fortune slips. "Tai-mikuji"s which cannot be seen in other shrines are hung here too.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Ichinen-antai-mikuji (Meaning: peaceful year fortune slip)" which you fish up with a fishing rod. "Tai" is a sea bream, which is said to bring good luck.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Ichinen-antai-mikuji" has a fortune slip inside.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Ai-tai-mikuji", playing with the words "Aitai (会いたい, Meaning: want to meet)" and "Tai (鯛, meaning: sea bream)".
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
"Ai-tai-mikuji" has a love fortune slip inside.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The illustration map of the shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
The first torii of Hikawa shrine seen from the other side of the street.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
Leaving Hikawa shrine.
2018, Jul. 13th
Kawagoe,Saitama
