Subsidiary and Auxiliary Shrines 末社と摂社

Official explanation

There are several small shrines located behind the main shrine of Iwashimizu Hachimangu, some of which are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. Large shrines usually have such minor shrines on their grounds, often dedicated to deities connected to the principal deity of the main shrine. This allows worshippers to pray for many things in one place.

Two of the most important auxiliary shrines at Iwashimizu Hachimangu are Wakamiyasha and Wakamiyadensha, a pair of wooden shrines surrounded by a lattice fence in the northeast corner of the earthen walls. People who take part in rituals at the main shrine receive symbolic prayer garments called kiyome no koromo (“garment of purification”). After the service, they write their prayers on these garments and dedicate them at Wakamiyasha or Wakamiyadensha. Men pray at Wakamiyasha, which enshrines Emperor Nintoku, the son of Emperor Ojin deified in the main sanctuary. Women pray at Wakamiyadensha, which enshrines Emperor Nintoku’s sisters, who were imperial princesses.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.