Amatsu Shrine (Bizen City, Okayama)

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Amatsu Shrine (Bizen City, Okayama)

A shrine worthy of the land of Bizen Ware.

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This shrine is said to be built before the year 1411. The deity worshiped is Sukuna Hikona-no-Mikoto, but as it was also located within the domain owned by the Sugawara Clan, Sugawara no Michizane was also worshiped. Bizen-ware is also referred to as “Imbe-Yaki” (Imbe-Ware), and originated in Imbe, in the city of Bizen. The shrine is known for its copious amounts of Bizen-ware, as it is located in Imbe, and many practitioners are related to Bizen-Ware craftsmen.

A guardian dog statue made of Bizen-ware welcomes visitors. The gate was made in the 1700’s, with Bizen-ware tiles and reliefs of Guardian dogs on murals. Even the stone roads, and plates in the white walls are made of Bizen-ware among many others. Visitors can even purchase a Bizen-ware Ema.

When it was made, the main pavilion was in front of Uraimbe Pavilion. The shrine was moved to its current location in 1579, following a plague in the Imbe. Like a miracle, the plague was gone after the shrine moved. The main deity, Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto is told to be the god of medicine and curing diseases, as it “created methods to cure diseases and pray away misfortune”. The other deity, Sugawara no Michizane is also the god of education, and is told to pray for good grades.

©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Highlights

  • Many bizen-wares inside the shrine, including a guardian dog statue.
  • Known as the guardian deity of the “Land of Bizen-Ware”.
  • Brings you fortune in health, and education.

Photos

  • The long road leads to Amatsu Shrine
©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

    The long road leads to Amatsu Shrine ©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

  • In front of the torii gates at Amatsu Shrine
©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

    In front of the torii gates at Amatsu Shrine ©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

  • A bizen-ware ema ©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

    A bizen-ware ema ©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

  • Bizen-ware statue of a guardian dog
©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

    Bizen-ware statue of a guardian dog ©Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Reviews

1
  • 蓉兒

    運用很多備前燒建造出古色古香的神社。

Details

Name in Japanese
天津神社
Postal Code
705-0024
Address
629 Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama
Telephone
0869-64-2738
Hours
Free to visit any time
Access
10 minute walk from JR Imbe station
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)