Hiyoshi Shrine

Hiyoshi Shrine was said to have been first built in 1290 with donations from the mother shrine of Hiyoshi Taisha in Ohmi Province (present day Shiga Prefecture), after which it was patronized by generations of Yanagawa Castle castellans, including the Kamachis, who built the castle, the Tachibanas, and the Tanakas. In the Edo era, it was called Sannogu Shrine and Odai Gongen Shrine and was combined with Saishoin Temple until the Meiji government issued its decree of Shinto-Buddhism separation in 1868. After this, the Buddha statues at Saishoin Temple were relocated to Chomeiji Temple. The Main Hall, the Hall of Offerings and the Hall of Worship were likely built in the early 18th century, making Hiyoshi Shrine one of the oldest shrines in the city. It is also home to lion-dogs created by a Buddhist sculptor in Nagasaki in 1702 and a taiko drum that was donated for use in mingaku (Ming dynasty court music popularized in Japan during the Edo era). The Taro Inari Shrine located inside Hiyoshi Shrine was relocated here from the grounds of Yanagawa Castle. Taro Inari is the well-known god of protection against smallpox. This god was enshrined in the Tachibana family villa in Edo (old Tokyo), and it gained numerous believers several times throughout the Edo era. The shrine is home to monuments dedicated to the literary works of Ken Hase and the poetry of Ryokuhei Kimura, both who were born in Yanagawa. There is also an eel monument. Every year, an award ceremony and eel memorial service are held. Furthermore, the footpath at the southern end of the premises that was built along the inner moat of Yanagawa Castle has been designated as one of the 100 Best Roads of Japan.