Nitta Shrine

Located in Miyauchi-cho, Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Located in front of the Enoyama Mausoleum of Ninigi-no-Mikoto, Amatsuhikohikohono Ninigi-no-Mikoto is the main deity, and Amaterasu Omikami and Ame-no-Oshihomimi-no-Mikoto are enshrined in two shrines, one on the east side and one on the west side. It is also known as Kawauchi Hachiman. It is said that the shrine building was already built in the middle of the stone steps on the approach to the shrine in the ancient times, and rituals were solemnly held there. An ancient document from 1165 indicates that the shrine was rebuilt during the Jogan era (859-877), and the "Biography of Mikuni Shrine" states that the shrine was founded in 725 under Emperor Shomu, and in 1176, an imperial decree was issued to move the shrine to its current location. In 1885, the shrine was designated a National Shrine of Middle Class, and its official name was Nitta Shrine. The shrine holds an annual festival on September 1st, as well as other events such as the Musha Festival on January 7th and the Hayamasai Festival on March 21st. The shrine holds sacred treasures including the 1294 inscribed Peony and Twin Birds Mirror (a nationally designated important cultural property), and over 70 ancient mirrors, as well as numerous ancient documents.

[Ishu Ochiai]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鹿児島県薩摩川内(さつませんだい)市宮内町に鎮座。瓊瓊杵尊(ににぎのみこと)の可愛山(えのやま)陵の前面にあり、天津彦彦火(あまつひこひこほの)瓊瓊杵尊を主祭神とし、東西2殿に天照大神(あまてらすおおみかみ)・天忍穂耳(あめのおしほみみ)尊を配祀(はいし)する。別名川内八幡(はちまん)ともいう。当社は神代の昔すでに社殿を参道石段の中段に設け、祭祀を厳修したという。永万(えいまん)元年（1165）の古文書に貞観(じょうがん)年中（859～877）に再興とみえ、また『三国神社伝記』に聖武(しょうむ)天皇神亀(じんき)2年（725）創立とあり、安元(あんげん)2年（1176）宣旨を下し、現在の地に遷御された。1885年（明治18）国幣中社に列し、新田神社が正式社名となる。例祭は9月1日、ほかに1月7日の武射祭、3月21日の早馬祭(はやまさい)などがある。神宝に永仁(えいにん)2年（1294）銘牡丹双鳥鏡(ぼたんそうちょうきょう)（国指定重要文化財）など古鏡70余面のほか多数の古文書を蔵する。

［落合偉洲］

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