Kuki Iwakura Jinja Shrine (Tashiro Castle Site) 九鬼岩倉神社（田城城跡）

Official explanation

As its name implies, Kuki Iwakura Jinja Shrine is deeply connected to the Kuki family. The site where the shrine is located is the former location of the Kuki family’s seat of power, Tashiro Castle, a fort built on a hilltop near the convergence of the Kamo and Kouchi rivers.

The fort was controlled by Kuki Yoshitaka’s older brother, Kiyotaka (d. 1560). After his death, his young son Sumitaka (d. 1574) was next in line of succession. He was too young to rule, however, so the castle was placed under the guardianship of Yoshitaka until the young heir came of age. Sumitaka died under mysterious circumstances, and it is thought that Yoshitaka assassinated him so he could maintain his position as head of the Kuki family. Tashiro Castle was abandoned after the construction of Toba Castle, which became the regional seat of power.

Read the full explanation

Historians believe the shrine got its start when Yoshitaka’s son, Kuki Moritaka, repurposed the site of Tashiro Castle in 1626 to put the vengeful spirit of Sumitaka to rest. The shrine was maintained by Moritaka’s son, who would send his retainers to pay their respects during Obon, the summer holiday in which families honor the spirits of ancestors. It was given its current name, Kuki Iwakura Jinja Shrine, in 1955.

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.