Outline and History Suwa Shrine is located in Shimonita, Gunma. It is believed to have been founded about 400 years ago. The shrine is dedicated to three deities (Takeminakata, Yasakatome, and Homudawake), who were worshipped as gods of hunting and agriculture in ancient times, as military gods during the samurai period, and as gods of industry, traffic safety, and matchmaking today. The splendid shrine pavilion (the central building of the shrine) was constructed between 1837 (Tempo 8) and 1846 (Koshita 3). The shrine was built between 1837 and 1846 by Yazawa Zenji Akikata (1772-1841), a native of Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture, where Suwa Taisha Shrine, the origin of Suwa Shrine, is located. The shrine pavilion seen from the front. Features of the shrine pavilions The shrine pavilions of Suwa Shrine have various attractive features. The first is an architectural style that cannot be seen in other shrines. Usually, the main hall and the hall of offerings in a shrine are connected by a … 続きを読む Suwa Shrine (Shimonita, Gunma)