Shrine Visit Report: Koshikake Shrine | Home of the Stone Where Yamato Takeru Sat

Koshikake Shrine
2169 Serizawa, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture / One parking space available, no restrooms
Official website: None

■ A small, unmanned shrine in a remote area ■

In my previous shrine visit reports, I have mostly documented relatively large shrines.
This time, it is a quiet, secluded shrine. It is nestled in a peaceful residential area in the mountains of northern Chigasaki City.
Passing through the first torii gate, which is also the title image, you immediately reach the second torii gate.
The worship hall is visible about 50 meters ahead.

Long ago, Yamato Takeru set out on an expedition to the eastern provinces under the orders of his father, Emperor Keiko.
It is said that he rested here along the way. The stone he is said to have sat on is the Koshikake Gyokuseki (Sitting Jewel Stone). It is also the origin of the shrine's name. It measures about 90 cm by 75 cm.
As someone who reveres Yamato Takeru, I offered my prayers with great care.

It is said that when he sat on this stone and looked toward the west, he could see Mount Oyama and was very pleased.
Today, large trees have grown and buildings have been erected, so Mount Oyama is no longer visible.
However, it is clear that Mount Oyama has been considered a sacred mountain since ancient times.

■ Surprisingly many visitors ■

Koshikake Shrine is not very easily accessible by public transport.
Because of this, I expected there to be few visitors.

However, during the 30 minutes I was there, a pair of local junior high school girls, an elderly man, and surprisingly, a Western couple came to pray.

Since Satoyama Park is nearby, some people might visit the shrine while they are in the area.
Of course, there are also those who visit specifically for the Koshikake Gyokuseki.

The Western couple had walked there, so they must have taken the time to come by public transportation.
Recently, whether it is a temple, shrine, or scenic spot, I see foreigners even in quite hidden gems.
Is it information from the internet, I wonder? It is an amazing era.

■ A forest designated as a natural monument ■

As the wave of development reaches northern Chigasaki City, the forest around Koshikake Shrine retains much of its natural state.
For this reason, in 1986, it was designated as a natural monument of Chigasaki City under the name Koshikake Shrine's Juso (Shrine Forest).

Rather than a refreshing feeling, the untouched forest gives the impression that something extraordinary is lurking within. This sense of awe for "something" is perhaps what the original Japanese gods were.

There is also a large tree at the first torii gate, boasting a majesty like that of a sacred tree.
I pressed my hands together in prayer before the weathered stone statue beside it and left the shrine.

■ Deities Enshrined ■

Yamato Takeru no Mikoto
Oohirume-muchi no Mikoto
Kanayamahiko no Mikoto
Shirayamahiko no Mikoto
Ukanomitama no Mikoto

Ohirumemuchi is the same goddess as Amaterasu Omikami.
Kanayamahiko is a male deity born from the vomit of Izanami when she was bedridden with severe burns to her private parts after giving birth to Honokagutsuchi. He presides over mines.
Shirayamahime is the same goddess as Kukurihime-no-Mikoto. She is a mysterious goddess who appears for only a moment in one of the supplementary chapters of the Nihon Shoki.
Ukanomitama is the deity enshrined at Inari shrines, commonly known as Oinari-san.

■ Goshuin (Shrine Seal) ■

A system where you place your offering in the donation box and take the seal yourself from the case placed in the worship hall.