Shiogama Shrine

Shiogama Shrine, located on Ichimoriyama in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, is the ichinomiya of the former Mutsu Province. The principal deity at the bessu is Shiotsuchi-no-Oji-no-Kami, the founding deity of salt-making, with Takemikazuchi-no-Kami enshrined in the left palace and Futsunushi-no-Kami in the right palace. With Shiwahiko Shrine in the same precinct, the complex is collectively known as Shiwahiko Jinja-Shiogama Jinja and is an Important Cultural Property and a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The upper book of the Kojiki, in the Yamasachi-Umisachi chapter, records Shiotsuchi-no-Oji as the old man of the tides who taught the way to the sea-deity's palace, the deity of salt, sea travel, and guidance. Takemikazuchi-no-Kami and Futsunushi-no-Kami are recorded in the lower book of the Nihon Shoki as the central deities who demanded the transfer of the Central Land of Reed Plains from Okuninushi, and are enshrined at Kashima Jingu and Katori Jingu. Tradition holds that during the Yamato expansion these two deities descended to Mutsu and pacified the region, leaving Shiotsuchi-no-Oji to remain. The current honden and other halls were rebuilt in 1704 by Date Tsunamura, lord of Sendai, and are Important Cultural Properties.