Possibly the biggest of the shrines in west Ikebukuro, Ikebukuromitake Shrine is a fascinating shrine because of its history.
As many shrines pay their respects, the main deity is Yamato Takeru no Mikoto no Shinwa”.
The shrine also pays honor to Yamato Takeru, son of Emperor Keiko and is the 12th Emperor of Japan (Yamato Dynasty) and father of the 14th Emperor, Chuai. Yamato is considered a legendary hero in the ancient history of Japan.
Prince Takeru slew his elder brother Osu and his father worried about his son’s temper, sent him to a faraway land (Izumo Province, now known as Shimane Prefecture). He was known for crossdressing as a maidservant in order to kill the Kumaso leaders. His enemy praised him and gave him the title of Yamato Takeru (The Brave Yamato), which his father was still unphased by his son’s actions.
Because he felt his son disobeyed the Imperial court, he sent Takeru to the eastern land and he met his aunt, the Princess Yamamoto-hime, the highest priestess of Amaterasu at Ise Grand Shrine (in Ise Province). Grieving about how his father treated him and wants him to die, the princess showed him compassion and lent him the holy sword of “Ame no Murakumo tsurugi” (aka the “Kusanagi Sword”).The sword was originally brought to the family by Susanoo, the brother god of Amaterasu, who found it in the body of the eight-headed great serphant, Yamatta no Orochi. And he would defeat his enemies with the sword as he traveled to the eastern land.
There are many legends of Yamamoto Takeru with the Kojiki version and the Nihonshoki version. But the holy sword of “Ame no Murakumo tsurugi” (aka the “Kusanagi Sword”) is currently housed at the Atsuta Shrine in Aichi Prefecture and is considered one of the “Three Sacred Treasures of Japan”.
The shrine also celebrates the life of Emperor Jimmu (the first emperor of Japan), who is said to be the descendant of sun goddess Amaterasu and a descendant of the storm god Susanoo. He is known for launching a military expedition from Hyuuga to capture Yamato, which he established as a center of power. In Japan, on February 11th, they celebrate National Foundation Day which celebrates the accession of Emperor Jimmu which took place on February 660 BC.
The deity of the shrine is Takemikazuchi, god of Thunder and a sword god and considered to have competed in the first sumo wrestling match recorded in history.
The accompanying shrine is known for the deity of Ukemochi no Kami (Preservation God) and people raising children, wanting to have children or wanting a healthy birth, tend to visit this shrine. As well as for exorcism and fire prevention.
As for the history of the shrine, supposedly around the time of reigning emperors Ogimachi-tenno and Go-Yozei-tenno during the Tensho (Momoyama Period) which was July 1573-December 1592, a vassal of Takeda Katsuyori (head of the Takeda clan and successor of the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen) fled from Koshu to Ikebukuro.
He would build a shrine there in Nishi-Ikebukuro (west Ikebukuro) and what is known is that in 1854, a shrine was built and it went with the name Mitsumine Shrine to Mitake Shrine around 1938.
The shrine was reconstructed in 1959 and expanded in 1964.
One thing people visiting the shrine will notice is that the Ikebukuro owls can be found throughout the location.
And to the right of Ikebukuromitake Shrine is another shrine known as Kosodateinari Shrine.
The shrine is known for its New Year event, Setsubun (the day before the beginning of spring in Japan – around February 3rd), annual festivals such as Tanabata, Shichigosan (the traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven-year old girls and give year old boys, typically held on November 15th) and more.
１月 ９日 新年祭 (New Year Festival)
２月 ３日 節分祭 (Setsubun Festival)
２月 １４日 祈年祭 (Toshigoi no Matsuri – Festival to ward off evil spirits)
6月 ３０日 夏越大祓 (Nagoshi Oharai)
７月第１日曜 七夕祭 (Tanabata – Star Festival)
９月第４土日 例大祭 (Reitaisai – Annual Festival)
１１月１４日 新嘗祭 (Ninamesai – Labor Thanksgiving Day)
１２月３１日 年越大祓 (New Year’s Eve)
旧暦 初 午 稲荷祭 (Kyureki hatsu uma Inari Matsuri)
毎月 １４日 月次祭 (Monthly festival)
So, if you happen to be staying in west Ikebukuro, definitely give Ikebukuromitake Shrine in Ikebukuro a try and also visit their website for upcoming festival events.
