JW852 Invocation from Hikawa

[Eastern Expedition Chapter] Episode 42: Invocation from Hikawa

The reign of the 12th Emperor, Emperor Keiko.

111 AD, 771st year of the Imperial Era (41st year of Emperor Keiko).

Yamato Takeru (hereinafter Takeru) and his party continue their march for the Eastern Expedition.

For the sake of his subordinate (Tanak in this story) who was afflicted with an eye disease, Takeru visited a shrine.

Takeru (30): "Kuninotokotachi-no-Mikoto. Grant my wish!"

Maria: "By the way, the name of the shrine is Otori Shrine."

Tatch: "How is it? How are your eyes?"

Tanak: "They... they are healed! Prince! Princess! They are healed!"

Tatch: "That's wonderful, Lord Tanak!"

Takeru (30): "Since the divine efficacy is remarkable, let us also pray for the pacification of the eastern provinces!"

Kesomi: "Because of this, this shrine came to be called the 'Blind God' shrine."

Maria: "And 'mekura' (blind) gradually became corrupted, becoming the origin of the place name 'Meguro'."

Takeru (30): "And where will the shrine that settles in that land called Meguro be two thousand years from now?"

Kesomi: "It is in Shimomeguro, Meguro Ward, Tokyo."

Maria: "Later, the Prince and Lord 'Touch' were also enshrined here."

Takeru (30) & Touch: "Splendid!" x2

Thus, the party resumed their march, but...

Takeru (30): "There is a good hill here. I intend to offer a remote prayer here."

Touch: "Praying toward something far away? Toward where?"

Takeru (30): "We shall pray toward Hikawa Shrine, which will become the Ichinomiya of Musashi Province in the future!"

Maria: "By the way, the enshrined deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto."

Tanack: "It was founded in April of 473 BC, the 188th year of the Imperial Era (the 3rd year of Emperor Kosho), right?"

Maria: "That is correct. As I introduced in Episode 112, it is located in Takahana-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture."

Kesomi: "Since you prayed to Susanoo-no-Mikoto... does that mean a shrine was built here too?"

Takeru (30): "That is correct! A Hikawa Shrine was built on this land as well!"

Kesomi: "That's confusing! Did it have to have the same name?"

Tanack: "Since they invited the deity of Hikawa Shrine, it seems they took its name."

Kesomi: "I see... So because they divided the spirit, the name became the same as well..."

Maria: "By the way, this shrine enshrines not only Susanoo-no-Mikoto, but also his wife, Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto, and their child."

Takeru (30): "How exhilarating!"

Touch: "So? What's the location that's bothering you?"

Tanack: "It is located in Shirokane, Minato Ward, Tokyo."

Kesomi: "Hm? Isn't it pronounced 'Shirogane'?"

Tanack: "No, it is not voiced. It is 'Shirokane'."

Takeru (30): "It doesn't matter which! How exhilarating!"

The march continues