About
A Japanese Historical Treasure
History
There are three deities enshrined at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine: the 15th Emperor Ojin (200 - 310), the 14th Emperor Chuai (149 - 200), and his Empress Jingu (169 - 269).
During the Heian period (794 - 1185), the Shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro was sent to subdue the tribes in north-east Japan and founded a Hachimangu shrine in Iwate Prefecture in AD801.
During the Muromachi period (1336 - 1573), the Osaki family, who ruled northern Miyagi prefecture, moved the shrine to the current Tajiri, Osaki city, and worshipped there over thirteen generations for 250 years.
In the Edo period (1603 - 1867), when Date Masamune (1567 - 1636) founded Sendai, this area was designated as a sacred area. The Osaki Hachimangu Shrine was built in 1607 as the guardian of the Sendai domain and for the divine protection of the ruling Date family.
North Torii Gate
Hall of Music and Dance
Main Shrine
First Torii
Sendai Loople Bus Tour
The Deity's Blessing
The feudal lord Date Masamune and the people of his domain were devoted to the kami deities of Osaki Hachimangu. They believed that the kami protected them against evil, brought them success and good fortune, as well as ensuring safe childbirth.
The kami are believed to protect the north-easterly direction which was important in Eastern divination and to be the protective guardians of people born in the Years of the Dog and the Boar.
Architecture
Date Masamune embraced the culture of Kyoto when he created his domain in far away Michinoku Sendai.
Carpenters, painters, and craftsmen were invited from all over Japan to introduce the magnificent culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
According to the Osaki Hachiman Shrine Raiyuki, ”Surely there is no building so superlative even among the shrines and temples of Kyoto."
Osaki Hachimangu is a rare and precious example of Momoyama period architecture.
The shrine is a superb example of the magnificent and splendid architecture of the Momoyama period (1573-1603) as conceived by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), who reunited Japan under his rule after a long period of civil war. Successive generations of the ruling Date family were dedicated patrons of the shrine, which stands as a living testament to the beauty of Momoyama period culture and the status of the Date family.
Main Shrine
Inside the Main Hall
Dragon
Momoyama Architecture
Good Luck Dragon
Portable Shrine Procession
Great Purification Ceremony
Festival to Expel Evil Spirits
Kagura Festival
Fire Festival
Festivals and Events
Osaki Hachimangu has been hosting traditional Shinto events for over 300 years. Now you can join a festival for almost any month of the year. The Fire Festival or Matsutaki Matsuri is one of the nation's largest New Year's events. Decorations used during New Year's celebrations are burned in a huge fire dedicated to the shrine deities.
Check out the event page for videos and more info, and be sure to join our upcoming events!
Festivals and Events
Osaki Hachimangu has been hosting traditional Shinto events for over 300 years. Now you can join a festival for almost any month of the year. The Fire Festival or Matsutaki Matsuri is one of the nation's largest New Year's events. Decorations used during New Year's celebrations are burned in a huge fire dedicated to the shrine deities.
Check out the event page for videos and more info, and be sure to join our upcoming events!
Portable Shrine Procession
Great Purification Ceremony
Festival to Expel Evil Spirits
Kagura Sacred Music and Dance
Fire Festival
