Takamahiko-jinja

Takamahiko Shrine (Takamahiko-jinja) stands in Kitakubo, Gose City, Nara Prefecture, on the eastern slope of the Kongo range at about 500 m elevation in a plateau region called "Takama." The main enshrined deity is Takamimusubi-no-Mikoto (Takamimusubi-no-Kami). According to the Kojiki (712 CE) opening section, Takamimusubi is recorded among the first three deities of creation together with Amenominakanushi-no-Kami and Kamimusubi-no-Kami, and in the same chronicle and the Nihon Shoki (720 CE) he leads the pacification of the Land of Reeds and the descent of Ninigi. The plateau name "Takama" is traditionally identified with the heavenly Takamagahara, with surrounding sites including Katsuragi Hitokotonushi Shrine forming a Katsuragi mythological landscape. Mount Hakuun (696 m) behind the main hall is venerated as the shintai mountain. The shrine is recorded in the Engishiki (927 CE) jinmyocho of the Katsuge district of Yamato Province as "Takamahiko-jinja, Myojin Dai."