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Sendai's general guardian with a dignified air.
Osaki Hachimangu Shrine was relocated to the northwest (the position of dog and boar) by the order of Date Masamune at the time of the construction of Sendai Castle. Since then, the shrine has been revered as the general guardian of Sendai, especially as a guardian deity for those born in the year of the dog or the year of the boar.
The highlight of the shrine is the Shaden (main pavilion), a national treasure, which is said to be a masterpiece of Momoyama architecture. The worship hall, with its black lacquered roof and tokyo (an architectural structural element), is decorated with elaborate and vivid ornaments. The shrine is also believed by athletes to bring them good luck in winning, and the long floor at the end of the approach to the shrine is lined with ema (votive picture tablet) paintings of Sendai's soccer and baseball players praying for their victory.
The "Matsutaki Matsuri" (pine burning festival) held every year on January 14 is well known. This festival has a 300-year history. In other regions, it is generally called "Donto Matsuri. Some worshippers visit the shrine wearing something similarly light or nearly naked like a sarashi, and it has become a wintertime tradition in Sendai.
Worship hall with vivid decorations on black lacquer
Matsutaki Matsuri is one of the largest Donto Matsuris in Japan
Annual festival held in September
Taigensha, a shrine within the precincts of the temple. The Daigenmyo-o is enshrined here to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Hatsumode (new year's worship) attracts many worshippers.
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There were so many people visiting the shrine during this period that I couldn't really take a good look around. What a pity!
There are lots of interesting buildings to see within the Hachimangu Shrine grounds. I definitely recommend visiting if you're traveling to Sendai.
The main hall is painted black with gold decorations, making the colors really pop. It's gorgeous and absolutely stunning!
