Kanda Shrine

Located in Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. It enshrines Onamuchi-no-Mikoto and Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto. According to the shrine's history, it was founded in 730 (Tenpyo 2) in Shibasaki Village, Toshima County, Musashi Province (Otemachi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo). In 1603 (Keicho 8), it was moved to Surugadai, and in 1616 (Genwa 2), it was moved to its current location. It was honored by the common people as "Kanda Myojin," and Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada made it the main guardian deity of the Edo Castle area. The main building of the shrine burned down in 1657 (Meireki 3). It was later rebuilt by Tokugawa Ietsuna. In 1703 (Genroku 16), the shrine building burned down again. The following year, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi rebuilt it. In 1872 (Meiji 5), it was designated a prefectural shrine and its official name was changed to Kanda Shrine. In 1923 (Taisho 12), it burned down in the Great Kanto Earthquake and was rebuilt in 1934 (Showa 9). In March 1945, the shrine building was destroyed by fire during war, but was later rebuilt and remains standing to this day. The Masakado Shrine within the grounds, which enshrines Taira Masakado, is famous. When the shrine was first built, Masakado's grave was located nearby, so his spirit was enshrined in the auxiliary shrine, and it is said that he was made the guardian deity of the area. The annual festival in mid-May is known as the Kanda Festival, and the grand festival held every other year is considered one of Japan's three major festivals.

[Ken Mitsuhashi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

東京都千代田区外神田(そとかんだ)に鎮座。大己貴命(おおなむちのみこと)、少彦名命(すくなひこなのみこと)を祀(まつ)る。社伝によると、730年（天平2）武蔵(むさし)国豊島(としま)郡芝崎村（東京都千代田区大手町）に創祀(そうし)したという。1603年（慶長8）駿河台(するがだい)に移り、さらに1616年（元和2）現在地に移った。庶衆から「神田明神(みょうじん)」と尊称され、将軍徳川秀忠(ひでただ)は当社をして江戸城下の総鎮守(ちんじゅ)となした。1657年（明暦3）に社殿炎上。のち徳川家綱(いえつな)により再興された。1703年（元禄16）ふたたび社殿炎上。翌年徳川綱吉(つなよし)により再興。1872年（明治5）府社に列せられ、正式の社号「神田神社」に改めた。1923年（大正12）関東大震災により炎上し、1934年（昭和9）に再興。1945年3月戦火にかかり社殿を焼失したが、その後再興して現在に至る。平将門(まさかど)を祀る境内の将門社は有名。創建当初、近傍に将門の首塚があったのにより、相殿(あいどの)にその霊を祀り、この地の守護神としたとも伝える。5月中旬の例祭は世に神田祭と称され、隔年に行われる大祭は日本三大祭の一つとされる。

［三橋　健］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例