Kushibiki Hachimangu

Kushibiki Hachimangu, located in Hachiman-cho, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, served as the chief tutelary shrine of the Nanbu region. The principal deities are the Hachiman three: Hondawake-no-Mikoto (Ojin Tenno), Okinagatarashihime-no-Mikoto (Empress Jingu), and the consort Himeokami, following the configuration of Usa Jingu in Buzen Province, the head Hachiman shrine. The shrine treasures the Aka-ito Odoshi Yoroi, a late-Kamakura red-thread laced armor designated a National Treasure, offered as the central emblem of the Nanbu warrior family. According to tradition, the shrine was founded in 1189 by Nanbu Mitsuyuki, a follower of Minamoto no Yoritomo in his Oshu campaign, by inviting the deity from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. It was relocated to the current site in 1191. Patronized by successive Nanbu branches through the medieval period, it was developed in the early modern era as the prayer shrine of the Morioka and Hachinohe domains. The honden (1648) and main gate are Important Cultural Properties. The annual festival on August 1-3 features mikoshi processions and martial arts offerings.