Kumano Hayatama Taisha

Kumano Hayatama Taisha, located in Shingu, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, is one of the three Kumano Sanzan shrines and lies near the mouth of the Kumano River. The principal deities are Kumano Hayatama-no-Okami (identified with Izanagi-no-Mikoto) and Kumano Fusumi-no-Okami (identified with Izanami-no-Mikoto), the husband and wife pair recorded in the upper book of the Kojiki as those who gave birth to the land and the kami; the link between Izanami's descent to Yomi and the Kumano region forms the core of this devotion. The Kamikura Shrine on Mt. Kamikura, with its great rock Gotobiki Iwa, is regarded as the original shrine site (motomiya), and the present shrine was newly built under Keiko Tenno, giving rise to the place name Shingu (new shrine). It is recorded in the Engishiki Jinmyocho of 927 as Kumano Hayatama Shrine in Muro District, Kii Province, a Myojin Taisha. The temple treasures of vermilion lacquer regalia and lacquered cosmetic boxes are National Treasures of the Nanbokucho period. The annual Mifune Matsuri held October 15-16 features mikoshi processions upriver.