Overview and Religious Significance
Tsunomine Shrine is especially revered by people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the sea. Visitors come to pray for maritime safety, protection from misfortune, and longevity. Together with Oasahiko Shrine in Naruto City and Ninomiya Hachiman Shrine in Kamiyama Town, it is also associated with one of the traditional major festival celebrations of Awa, the former name of this part of Tokushima Prefecture.
Deities Enshrined at Tsunomine Shrine
Kashiwahime no Okami
The principal deity is Kashiwahime no Okami, a goddess traditionally believed to govern human longevity. According to local belief, she saves one person’s life each day. Worshippers pray to her for recovery from illness, continued good health, longevity, good fortune, and protection at sea.
Oyama-tsumi no Okami
Oyama-tsumi no Okami, a deity associated with mountains, is enshrined alongside the principal deity. This connection reflects the shrine’s setting on Mount Tsunomine, where the mountain landscape and views of the surrounding coastline form an integral part of the experience.
Ebisu no Okami
Ebisu no Okami is also worshipped within the shrine grounds. Ebisu is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan and is particularly associated with prosperity and success in fishing and commerce.
The History of Tsunomine Shrine
Origins in the Nara Period
According to shrine tradition, Tsunomine Shrine was founded in 724, during the Nara period. Following a divine revelation, Kashiwahime no Mikoto was enshrined at the summit of Mount Tsunomine as a deity protecting the nation and granting longevity.
The shrine is recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a register of officially recognized shrines compiled in the 10th century, under the name Kashiwahime Shrine in Naka District of Awa Province. This record reflects the shrine’s longstanding importance in the region’s religious history.
Worship During the Medieval Period
The shrine buildings were reconstructed by members of the Inbe clan, a family traditionally associated with Shinto rituals. During the medieval period, prominent military and political figures, including Hosokawa Yoriyuki and Miyoshi Nagayoshi, are said to have held the shrine in high regard.
During the Tensho era (1573–1592), however, the shrine was destroyed by fire amid Chosokabe Motochika’s invasion of Awa Province. This was a difficult period for many religious institutions in the region.
Restoration Under the Hachisuka Family
After the destruction, the Hachisuka family, the rulers of Awa Province, renewed their patronage of Tsunomine Shrine and revered it as a guardian deity of their domain. Successive generations of the family prayed for the prosperity and stability of their house. The Kashima family, rulers of Tomioka Castle, also maintained a tradition of visiting the shrine at New Year to offer prayers.
Reconstruction in Modern Times
The shrine buildings collapsed during the Nankai earthquake of 1946 and were subsequently rebuilt. In 1950, Tsunomine Shrine was designated a Beppyo Shrine by the Association of Shinto Shrines, reflecting its recognized standing within Shinto religious life. It continues to welcome worshippers seeking blessings for health, longevity, and safe travel.
Buildings and Facilities Within the Shrine Grounds
The shrine complex includes a large torii gate, the main sanctuary, the offering hall, the worship hall, and the subsidiary Tsunomine Kotoshironushi Shrine. Other facilities include the amulet and talisman office, a ceremonial residence, the shrine office, and a purification area.
These structures serve different roles in Shinto worship, from offering prayers and conducting rituals to providing sacred objects for worshippers.
Kashiwahime Shrine at the Foot of the Mountain
At the foot of Mount Tsunomine stands another shrine dedicated to Kashiwahime no Mikoto, known as Kashiwahime Shrine. It is traditionally regarded as the original sanctuary, or main shrine, of Tsunomine Shrine and is currently an outlying shrine associated with Minokata Hachiman Shrine.
According to shrine tradition, Kashiwahime no Mikoto was first enshrined at this lower site before being moved to the mountaintop at the request of worshippers. A small shrine remains at the original location, preserving the connection between the two sacred sites.
Annual Festivals and Ceremonies
Tsunomine Shrine holds ceremonies throughout the year, following the traditional Shinto calendar. Major observances include New Year prayers, seasonal festivals, purification rituals, moon-viewing celebrations, and autumn ceremonies.
Spring Festivals
January 1: New Year’s Festival, known as Saitan-sai.
Seventh day of the first lunar month: First Festival and Praying for a Good Harvest, or Kinen-sai.
February 11: National Foundation Day Festival.
Spring Equinox: A ceremony honoring the imperial ancestral spirits from afar.
April 3: Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring the distribution of longevity rice cakes and the traditional mochi-lifting competition.
April 17–18: Spring Grand Festival, including a special performance of traditional Shinto kagura dance.
April 29: Showa Day Festival.
Summer and Moon-Viewing Festivals
June 30: A purification ceremony featuring the passage through a large ring of woven grass, together with prayers for protection against disease and misfortune.
August 15 of the lunar calendar: Moon-Viewing Festival, held around the traditional mid-autumn moon.
Autumn Festivals
Autumn Equinox: A ceremony honoring the imperial ancestral spirits from afar.
November: Shichi-Go-San prayers for children aged three, five, and seven.
November 3: Culture Festival.
November 17–18: Autumn Grand Festival, featuring the Anan Sumo Tournament at the Tsunomine venue, a sacred procession carrying the portable shrine, and the distribution of longevity rice cakes.
November 23: Niiname-sai, a traditional harvest thanksgiving ceremony.
Winter Festivals
December 23: Ceremony honoring the Emperor’s birthday.
December 31: Year-end purification, a star festival praying for longevity, protection from misfortune and good fortune, and a New Year’s Eve ceremony.
A monthly festival is also held on the 17th of every month.
The Traditional Mochi-Lifting Competition
One of the most distinctive events at Tsunomine Shrine is the mochi-lifting competition, held during the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Autumn Grand Festival. Participants lift a large round rice cake placed on a ceremonial stand called a sanbo and carry it around a sumo ring.
The competition is divided into children’s, women’s, and men’s categories. It is a popular traditional event that brings the local community together and adds a lively atmosphere to the shrine’s religious celebrations.
How to Get to Tsunomine Shrine
Tsunomine Shrine is approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Anan Station. Parking is available nearby, making the shrine convenient to visit by car.
Experience the Spiritual and Coastal Heritage of Anan
Set high on Mount Tsunomine, Tsunomine Shrine combines ancient Shinto traditions, a long history of local devotion, and a strong connection with the sea. Its association with longevity and maritime safety has made it an important destination for generations of worshippers.
Visitors can explore the shrine’s sacred buildings, learn about its historic festivals, and enjoy the mountain setting. For travelers discovering Anan and the southern Tokushima coastline, Tsunomine Shrine offers a meaningful glimpse into the region’s spiritual heritage and enduring traditions.