Kushifuru Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Takachiho Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture. It has long been revered as an important center of local religious faith. Its name and history reach back to the age of Japanese mythology, and the shrine is particularly closely associated with the legend of the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild, known as Tenson Korin.
The shrine formerly held the status of a prefectural shrine and is now affiliated with the Association of Shinto Shrines. This sacred site offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history, deities, cultural properties, and surrounding landmarks associated with the mythology of Takachiho.
Kushifuru Shrine has been known by several names throughout its history, including Kushi-hi Daimyojin and Kushifuru Daimyojin. At different times, it was also called Futagami Shrine and Takachiho Sumera Shrine.
In 1871, during the Meiji period, the official name Futagami Shrine was adopted. Forty-three years later, the name was changed back to Kushifuru Shrine.
The character 「槵」 used in the shrine’s name is difficult to read, so the name is often written in hiragana as Kushifuru Shrine. The character 「觸」 is the old form of 「触」, which is why the shrine’s name is also sometimes written as Kushifuru-jinja using the simplified character.
Originally, Mount Kushifuru itself was worshipped as the sacred mountain of the shrine, and there was no main sanctuary building. Today, however, the shrine has a main sanctuary and enshrines Amatsuhiko Hono Ninigi-no-Mikoto as its principal deity.
Ninigi-no-Mikoto is a central figure in Japanese mythology. According to tradition, he descended from the heavenly realm to the earthly world under the command of Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess. This event is known as the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild and is one of the most important episodes in Japanese mythology.
The shrine also enshrines several deities in its auxiliary sanctuary: Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto, Futodama-no-Mikoto, and Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto. These deities are closely associated with Japanese mythology, and several have strong connections with warfare, military power, and victory.
The exact date when Kushifuru Shrine was founded is unknown because no definitive historical records have survived. It stands halfway up Mount Kushifuru, which has long been revered as a sacred mountain. For this reason, the shrine originally had no main sanctuary building, as the mountain itself was regarded as the object of worship.
Mount Kushifuru is traditionally considered the sacred place associated with the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild. It is identified with Kushifuru-no-Take, the peak of Takachiho mentioned in the ancient chronicles Nihon Shoki and Kojiki.
The shrine is not listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an ancient register of shrines compiled in the Heian period. Consequently, whether it corresponds to the Takachiho deity, also known as Takachiho Sumera-no-Kami, mentioned in historical records remains a subject of discussion. Nevertheless, together with Kirishima Shrine, it has been regarded since ancient times as an important location associated with the descent of the heavenly deities.
Kushifuru Shrine historically maintained close ties with Takachiho Shrine. While Takachiho Shrine held its spring festival, Kushifuru Shrine held its autumn festival.
However, after the fall of the Mitai clan, the shrine buildings fell into disrepair. In 1694, the chief priest of Takachiho Shrine received assistance from Miura Akihiro, the lord of Nobeoka Domain, and undertook the reconstruction of the shrine buildings.
With the cooperation of residents from the 18 villages of Takachiho, a main sanctuary was built at the shrine for the first time. After this reconstruction, the Naito family, who later ruled the domain, also supported the shrine’s upkeep by sending representatives to its festivals and making offerings to cover the expenses of religious ceremonies.
The main sanctuary of Kushifuru Shrine is built in the three-bay nagare-zukuri architectural style and has a copper-sheet roof. Chigi, forked ornamental roof finials, and katsuogi, short decorative logs placed across the ridge, adorn the roof.
In 1990, the main sanctuary was designated a tangible cultural property by Takachiho Town. It is an important historic building that reflects the architectural and religious heritage of the region.
The annual festival of Kushifuru Shrine is held every year on October 16. It is an autumn festival expressing gratitude for a successful harvest and forms a counterpart to the spring festival held at Takachiho Shrine.
One of the distinctive features of the festival is the offering of sacred sumo wrestling, known as shinji-zumo. In the past, sumo wrestlers came from throughout Kyushu to take part. They were divided into two groups: the Takachiho side and the visiting side, and competed against each other in a series of matches.
The outcome of the wrestling matches was traditionally interpreted as an annual prediction of whether the following year’s agricultural harvest would be abundant or poor. Thus, the sumo was not simply entertainment but also formed part of the community’s religious observances and prayers for a successful harvest.
The area surrounding Kushifuru Shrine contains numerous historic and legendary sites associated with the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild. These places offer visitors further opportunities to explore the mythology and spiritual traditions of Takachiho.
At the foot of Mount Kushifuru is a spring known as Amano-Manai. According to legend, when the heavenly deities descended to this area, there was no water available. Amamurakumo-no-Mikoto therefore brought sacred water from Takamagahara, the heavenly realm, to provide water for the land.
Amano-Manai is one of the three wells said to have given the Mitai district its name. Even today, the spring water continues to flow, and it is revered as sacred water whose quantity never increases or decreases.
During the shrine’s spring and autumn festivals, the area around this well serves as a temporary resting place for the portable shrine, or mikoshi, and sacred Kagura dances are performed.
Within the grounds of Kushifuru Shrine is a place from which visitors can pay their respects toward Takamagahara, the heavenly realm in Japanese mythology.
According to tradition, after the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild, the eight million deities gathered at this location and worshipped Takamagahara. The site is regarded as sacred, and many visitors come here to pray and experience the spiritual atmosphere associated with the ancient legend.
Mount Shiōjigamine is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Emperor Jimmu and his three elder brothers: Itsuse-no-Mikoto, Inai-no-Mikoto, and Mikeirino-no-Mikoto. Together, these four deities are associated with the mountain’s name.
Another tradition states that Empress Jingu prayed here for seven days and seven nights for victory during her campaign against the Three Korean Kingdoms. The mountain is therefore connected with both the ancient imperial legends and stories of military prayer.
Near the Kandai River is a large stone known as the Night-Crying Stone, which has long been revered as a sacred stone associated with the protection and care of children.
According to local belief, touching the stone can stop babies and young children from crying at night. In the past, it was common to see young mothers carrying their children to the stone and praying for them.
Several legends are associated with the stone, including a story connected with the difficult childbirth of Konohanasakuya-hime and traditions concerning the births of Toyotama-hime and Tamayori-hime.
Traveling by car is a convenient way to reach Kushifuru Shrine. The shrine is approximately 15 minutes by car from the center of Takachiho Town.
Several other popular sightseeing destinations are located nearby, including Takachiho Gorge and Takachiho Shrine. Visitors can combine a visit to Kushifuru Shrine with these attractions and enjoy a scenic drive through the beautiful natural landscape of Takachiho.
Kushifuru Shrine is a sacred site deeply connected with the Japanese myth of the Descent of the Heavenly Grandchild. Its history, religious traditions, and legends form an important part of Japan’s cultural heritage.
The surrounding area is also rich in historic sites and places associated with ancient rituals and mythology. By visiting the shrine and exploring these nearby landmarks, travelers can discover the spiritual traditions of Takachiho while experiencing the solemn atmosphere of this legendary region.