Fujishima Shrine

It is located in Keya 3-chome, Fukui City. The main deity is Nitta Yoshisada, a military commander from the Northern and Southern Courts period, and his family members, including Nitta Yoshimune and Wakiya Yoshisuke, are enshrined here. In 1333 (Ganko 3, Shokei 2), Yoshisada raised the flag of overthrowing the shogunate and invaded Kamakura, destroying the Hojo clan and being favored by Emperor Godaigo during the Kenmu administration. In 1338 (Engen 3, Ryakuo 1), he fought against Ashikaga Takauji and was killed in battle at Fujishima.

A helmet was excavated in the early Edo period from Toumyouji Nawate, where Yoshisada is said to have died in battle. Successive Matsudaira clan lords of Fukui made an effort to preserve the ruins, and in 1870 (Meiji 3), Matsudaira Shigeaki built a shrine on the site. In 1876, it was designated a special government-sponsored shrine and named Fujishima Shrine, and in 1901 (Meiji 34) it was moved to its current location. The shrine's annual festival is held on May 1st to 3rd. Shrine treasures include an excavated iron helmet with silver inlay said to have been used by Yoshisada, two swords from the Kamakura period, and a paper letter from Yuki Munehiro (all of which are designated as Important Cultural Properties of the country).

[Takafusa Hiraizumi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

福井市毛矢(けや)三丁目に鎮座。南北朝時代の武将新田義貞(にったよしさだ)を主神とし、新田義宗(よしむね)・脇屋義助(わきやよしすけ)以下の一族郎党を合祀(ごうし)する。1333年（元弘3・正慶2）義貞は、倒幕の旗をあげて鎌倉に攻め入り、北条氏を滅ぼし、建武(けんむ)政権で後醍醐(ごだいご)天皇に重用される。1338年（延元3・暦応1）足利尊氏(あしかがたかうじ)側と戦い、藤島で戦死した。

　義貞戦没地と伝えられる燈明寺畷(とうみょうじなわて)より江戸時代初期に兜(かぶと)が出土、福井藩主松平氏歴代は遺跡の保存に努め、1870年（明治3）松平茂昭(しげあき)は同地に社殿を造営した。1876年別格官幣社に列せられ藤島神社と称し、1901年（明治34）現在地に遷座。例祭5月1～3日。社宝に義貞所用と伝える発掘の鉄製銀象眼(ぞうがん)兜、鎌倉期の太刀(たち)二口、紙本結城宗広(しほんゆうきむねひろ)書状（いずれも国の重要文化財）などがある。

［平泉隆房］

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