Ikoma Jinja Shrine is a shinto shrine in Ikoma

Ikoma, Nara

is a city located in the north-west end of Nara Prefecture, Japan.As of June 1, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 120,304, with 46,989 households and the density of 2,262.20 persons per km², and it is the third biggest population in the prefecture...

, Nara

Nara Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....

, JAPAN

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

. The formal name of the shrine is 'Ikomaniimasu-Ikomatsuhiko Jinja'. This shrine is also known as 'Ikoma-Taisha', meaning a 'great shrine of Ikoma'.

History

According to the Sokoku-Fudoki, an ancient record of Japan, this shrine was extant in 458. The original object of worship at the shrine was a mountain, Mount Ikoma

Mount Ikoma

is a mountain on the border of Nara Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture in Japan. This mountain is the highest peak in the Ikoma Mountains and the height is 642 meters.- Outline :...

, behind the shrine.

This shrine has long relationship with Japanese royal family and the dynasty. In Engishiki

Engishiki

-History:In 905 Emperor Daigo ordered the compilation of a new set of laws. Fujiwara no Tokihira began the task, but work stalled when he died four years later in 909. His brother Fujiwara no Tadahira continued the work in 912 eventually completing it in 927...

, a formal record on shrines written in 972, this shrine was given the title of 'Kanpei-dai' as very high rank among Japanese shrines.

Objects of Worship

Today, this shrine is dedicated to seven gods, Ikomatsu-Hikono-Kami, Ikomatsu-Himeno-Kami, Okinaga-Tarashihimeno-Mikoto (Empress Jingū), Tarashinakatsu-Hikono-Mikoto (Emperor Chūai

Emperor Chuai

; also known as Tarashinakatsuhiko no Sumeramikoto; was the 14th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 192–200....

), Hondawakeno-Mikoto (Emperor Ōjin

Emperor Ojin

, also known as Homutawake or , was the 15th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 270 to 310....

), and Katsuragi-Takanukahimeno-Mikoto (mother of Empress Jingū), Okinaga-Sukuneono-Mikoto (father of Empress Jingū). Ikomatsu-Hikono-Kami and Ikomatsu-Himeno-Mikoto are understood as a husband and wife, and as Mount Ikoma itself.

Cultural Property

This shrine has the 'Ikoma-Mandara', Mandala

Mandala

Maṇḍala is a Sanskrit word that means "circle". In the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions their sacred art often takes a mandala form. The basic form of most Hindu and Buddhist mandalas is a square with four gates containing a circle with a center point...

 of Ikoma, and the Madala was selected as an Important Cultural Property

Important Cultural Properties of Japan

The term is often shortened into just are items officially already classified as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and judged to be of particular importance to the Japanese people....

 by the Japanese government.

This shrine is also well-known as a shrine of fire, and the Japanese royal family use the 'Shinboku' or sacred woods of the shrine, as firewood at 'Daijosai' ceremony. In October, the shrine has the 'Himatsuri' or the feast of fire.

Access

The entrance station to the shrine is Ichibu Station

Ichibu Station (Nara)

is a station in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, on the Kintetsu Ikoma Line of the Kintetsu Corporation. It is between Nabata Station and Minami-Ikoma Station, and trains run to both directions every 20 minutes....

 of Kintetsu Ikoma Line

Kintetsu Ikoma Line

The is a railway line of Kintetsu Corporation in Nara Prefecture, Japan between Ikoma Station in the city of Ikoma and Ōji Station in the town of Ōji. Having a total length of 12.4 km, the entirely electrified standard gauge line is partially double-tracked...

. About 5 minute walk from the station.