Kirishima Jingu

Kirishima Jingu, located in Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, stands at about 500 m elevation at the southern foot of the Kirishima range. The principal deity is Amenigishikuninigishi-Amatsuhiko-hiko-ho-no-Ninigi-no-Mikoto, with consort Konohanasakuya-hime, Hikohohodemi-no-Mikoto, Toyotama-hime, Ugayafukiaezu-no-Mikoto, and Tamayori-hime, all of whom form the genealogy of the heavenly descent of the imperial line recorded in the upper book of the Kojiki. According to tradition, the shrine was founded during the reign of Kinmei Tenno when the priest Keiin built a shrine between Mt. Takachiho-no-Mine and the Mihachi crater. After repeated volcanic destruction, the shrine was relocated to the present site by Shimazu Tadamasa in 1484. The current honden, heiden, and haiden were rebuilt by the Satsuma domain lord Shimazu Yoshitaka in 1715 and are National Treasures. The annual rite is held on September 19, and a festival commemorating the heavenly descent is held on November 10.