Okazaki Shrine Visit Report 2025 No.3 Sugou Shrine "A 380-year-old stone lantern"
A Shrine of History and Dignity, Home to a 380-Year-Old Stone Lantern
Origin and History
Sugou Shrine traces its origin back to 110 AD, when Prince Yamato Takeru enshrined a divine spirit during his eastern expedition. He was a son of the 12th Emperor Keikō and one of Japan’s legendary heroes who brought peace to the eastern provinces. The sword granted by his father—later known as the Kusanagi Sword—accompanied him throughout his journey.
On his return, he heard of a violent deity dwelling on Mount Ibuki and set out to subdue it. However, he underestimated the god’s power and climbed the mountain without the sacred sword. The mountain god appeared as a white boar, but Yamato Takeru ignored the omen, pressing onward until a freezing mist struck him down. This was said to be the god’s wrath, and he later fell gravely ill.
This legend became a moral tale about reverence for nature and humility before the divine. Even the strongest hero must not forget awe toward the forces beyond human control.
Yamato Takeru passed away on his way back to Ise, in Nobono (present-day Kameyama, Mie Prefecture). His soul was said to have ascended to heaven in the form of a white bird. Across Japan, many shrines were built to honor him, including Sugou Shrine in Okazaki—where he once prayed for victory and peace.
Timeline of Sugou Shrine
| Year (AD) | Event |
|---|---|
| 110 | Prince Yamato Takeru enshrines a divine spirit during his eastern expedition (Foundation) |
| 725 | Inari deity enshrined from Fushimi, Yamashiro Province (Sugou Inari Daimyojin) |
| 1289 | Priest Ryosen from Kawachi Sugou enshrines Tenjin deity (Sugou Tenjinsha) |
| 1517 | Tenno Shrine from Miyazaki Village merged after a flood (Sugou Tenno-gu) |
| Early 1600s | Tokugawa Ieyasu reveres the shrine and donates land (Sugou Toshogu) |
| 1868 | Following the Meiji Restoration, the shrine is reorganized under the Shinto separation order |
| 1950s–Present | Grounds restored and maintained; stone lanterns donated about 380 years ago remain in excellent condition, preserving Okazaki’s stonecraft tradition. |
Enshrined Deities
| Deity | Role and Origin | Alternate Name / Shrine |
|---|---|---|
| Amaterasu Ōmikami | Sun goddess and ancestral deity of the Imperial Family. | Fukiya Daimyojin |
| Toyoukehime no Mikoto | Deity of food and harvests. Enshrined from Fushimi in 725 AD. | Sugou Inari Daimyojin / Kaiun Inari Daimyojin |
| Susanoo no Mikoto | Deity of protection from plagues, warding off evil, and matchmaking. Integrated in 1517. | Sugou Tenno-gu |
| Sugawara no Michizane | Deity of learning and scholarship. Enshrined from Kawachi Sugou in 1289. | Sugou Tenjinsha |
| Tokugawa Ieyasu | Deified founder of peace and prosperity. Enshrined by Lord Mizuno Tadayoshi in 1645. | Sugou Toshogu |
The shrine houses multiple enshrined deities including Inari, Tenjin, and Tenno, serving as a guardian of the Okazaki castle town and a sacred site for learning, fortune, and protection.
The Kusanagi Sword and Atsuta Shrine
After Yamato Takeru’s death, his wife Princess Miyazu-hime enshrined the Kusanagi Sword in Owari (present-day Nagoya). The sacred sword became the divine object of Atsuta Shrine, one of Japan’s most revered Shinto shrines. It represents bravery and divine protection as one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan.
| Treasure | Name | Location (Tradition) | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sword | Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Ame-no-Murakumo no Tsurugi) | Atsuta Shrine, Nagoya | Valor & Protection |
| Mirror | Yata no Kagami | Ise Grand Shrine, Mie | Wisdom & Truth |
| Jewel | Yasakani no Magatama | Kashiko-dokoro, Imperial Palace, Tokyo | Harmony & Peace |
Imperial Succession and the Kenji-shokei-no-gi
The Three Sacred Treasures continue to play a symbolic role in the succession of the Japanese Emperor. During the enthronement, the new Emperor receives these treasures in a ceremony called the Kenji-shokei-no-gi (Ceremony of Succession to the Imperial Regalia).
This ritual marks the Emperor’s legitimate inheritance of the throne and demonstrates the unbroken line of succession from mythological times. It has been carried out up to the reign of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito, the 126th Emperor of Japan, and will continue to be passed down through future generations as a symbol of Japan’s enduring spirit and unity.
Testament of Time: The Stone Lanterns
Within the shrine grounds stands a series of stone lanterns,
the oldest of which was dedicated about 380 years ago and still retains much of its original form.
Each lantern, hand-carved from solid granite, has endured nearly four centuries of wind, rain, and earthquakes — a true testament to the enduring skill and craftsmanship of the stonemasons of Okazaki.
This lantern stands as a living proof of how Japanese stone craftsmanship embodies resilience and timeless beauty.
At Japanstones.shop, we share these enduring works of stone and the spirit of their craftsmen with the world.