Sunomiya Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Sunomiya, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture. It is closely associated with the ancient history of Awa Province and is known as one of the candidate sites for the shrine listed as a major shrine in the Engishiki, an important compilation of ancient Japanese laws and religious institutions.
The shrine was formerly classified as a prefectural shrine under the prewar shrine ranking system. With its long history and cultural heritage, Sunomiya Shrine remains an important place of worship in the region.
Located in a quiet area of Tateyama, Sunomiya Shrine has been worshipped by local communities for centuries. Its historical traditions and cultural assets offer visitors an opportunity to learn about the religious history of the southern Boso Peninsula.
The shrine is particularly interesting for visitors interested in ancient Japanese mythology, the history of Shinto, and the development of Awa Province.
Three principal deities are enshrined at Sunomiya Shrine.
Ameno Hirino-me no Mikoto is regarded as the consort of the deity enshrined at Awa Shrine. She was also known as Su no Kami, meaning the deity of the sandbar or coastal land.
In the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a record of shrines compiled in 927, her name is written as “Ameno Hirino-me no Mikoto.” However, the name “Ameno Hirito-me no Mikoto” appears in the Rikkokushi, a series of official historical chronicles of ancient Japan. Some theories suggest that the difference may have resulted from an error in the transcription of the name in the Engishiki.
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is also enshrined at Sunomiya Shrine. She is a well-known deity in Japanese mythology and is traditionally associated with performing arts, dance, and bringing light and joy.
Ame-no-Tomi-no-Mikoto is another enshrined deity. According to tradition, he led members of the Awa Imbe group in developing the land that became Awa Province.
Sunomiya Shrine and nearby Sunosaki Shrine are both traditionally associated with the worship of Su no Kami. There is also a theory that the two shrines once had a relationship corresponding to an ichinomiya, or “first shrine,” and ninomiya, or “second shrine,” within Awa Province. However, no definitive historical documents confirming Sunomiya Shrine as the second-ranking shrine of Awa Province have been found.
The origins of Sunomiya Shrine are said to date back to the time of Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. Although these early traditions belong to the realm of ancient mythology, they form an important part of the shrine’s historical identity.
According to the Kogoshui, an early Japanese record concerning Shinto traditions, Ame-no-Tomi-no-Mikoto came to the Boso Peninsula under the command of Emperor Jimmu in search of fertile land.
He is said to have developed the area and established a shrine on Mount Uo-o. Because the site was located near the sea at that time, the shrine became known as Su no Kami and later as Sunomiya.
The Engishiki Jinmyocho, compiled in 927 during the Heian period, records a shrine under the name Kogami Ameno Hirino-me no Mikoto Shrine, with the former name “Su no Kami.” The shrine was classified as a Taisha, or major shrine.
Sunomiya Shrine is regarded as one of the candidate locations associated with this ancient shrine. This historical connection is one of the reasons the shrine has attracted interest among researchers of ancient Awa Province.
From the Edo period onward, there were debates over whether Sunomiya Shrine or Sunosaki Shrine should be identified as the ancient shrine recorded in the Engishiki.
In 1872, the Ministry of Religion designated Sunomiya Shrine as the shrine corresponding to the ancient entry. However, this decision was reversed the following year, when Sunosaki Shrine was designated instead. The precise historical basis for this change remains unclear.
The shrine grounds contain a traditional main hall and worship hall, whose presence reflects the shrine’s long religious history.
Visitors can enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the grounds while observing the traditional architecture and considering the centuries of worship that have continued at this site.
Sunomiya Shrine is associated with several important cultural assets that provide insight into the religious and cultural history of the region.
Wooden Statue of a Heavenly Guardian
This wooden Buddhist statue is believed to date from the Northern and Southern Courts period to the early Muromachi period. It preserves traces of the era when Shinto and Buddhism were closely intertwined in Japan.
History and Origin of Sunomiya Shrine
The Sunomiya Shrine Engi is a historical document describing the origins and traditions of the shrine. Believed to have been compiled sometime after the Heian period, it also contains references relating to the Awa no Kuni Fudoki, a record associated with the history of Awa Province.
Clay Ritual Objects
Clay objects believed to have been used for religious ceremonies during the late Kofun period have been excavated from Mount Uo-o, which is regarded as the former site of the shrine.
Sunomiya Shrine Otaue Shinto Ritual
The Otaue Shinto Ritual is traditionally held on New Year’s Day as a prayer for a successful and abundant harvest. The ceremony represents a local tradition that has been passed down through generations.
From Tateyama Station on the JR Uchibo Line, take a JR bus bound for Awa-Shirahama via Kobe. Get off at the Suno-miya bus stop. The shrine is approximately a 2-minute walk from the bus stop.
Learning about the shrine’s connection to ancient Awa Province and its cultural heritage can make a visit to Sunomiya Shrine more meaningful.
Take time to explore the peaceful grounds and appreciate the traditional atmosphere. For visitors interested in Japanese mythology, ancient history, Shinto traditions, and the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism, Sunomiya Shrine offers a fascinating glimpse into the religious heritage of the Boso Peninsula.