Ouchijuku, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture - Takakura Shrine - Goshuin (Temple/Shrine Seal)

Ouchijuku, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture - Takakura Shrine Goshuin

*The shrine's enshrined deity, Prince Takaura Mochihito, stayed in Ouchijuku. As his residence was in Sanjo Takakura in Kyoto, a poem lamenting his longing for the capital is inscribed on the goshuin.*

[Details]

Takakura Shrine, located in Ouchijuku, Shimogo Town, Minamiaizu District, Fukushima Prefecture.

* This shrine is the general guardian shrine of the seven surrounding villages and enshrines Prince Mochihito, the third son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa.

The shrine was founded during the Genpei War. Due to Taira no Kiyomori's coup, Prince Mochihito attempted to raise an army in 1179. However, he was defeated in battle against the pursuing forces and is said to have fled through the Higashiyama road, eventually reaching Ouchijuku. Later, when pursuers came for Prince Mochihito, lightning suddenly struck them. The villagers interpreted this as a divine message and are said to have founded Takakura Shrine to enshrine Prince Mochihito in this location.

Ouchijuku, where the shrine is located, is situated at an altitude of 658m, surrounded by the mountains of the Ou mountain range. It was extensively developed around 1643 (Kan'ei 20) and prospered as a post town on the Aizu-Nishi Kaido road, connecting Aizuwakamatsu City and Nishi-Imaichi in Nikko.

The traditional post town scenery, with rows of traditional houses with thatched roofs, has been passed down through generations. In 1981, it was designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Numerous tourists visit from Japan and around the world.

Additionally, Matsubayashikaku in Aizu-Bange is famous as the Inn of Zashiki-warashi and has been featured in the media. Those who come to meet Zashiki-warashi reportedly purchase handmade Zashiki-warashi Dolls, a local craft in Aizu, and follow one of the following routes:

Matsubayashikaku → Ouchijuku Takakura Shrine or
Ouchijuku Takakura Shrine → Matsubayashikaku

Enshrined Deity

Prince Takaura Mochihito

* New and unused.

The item will be shipped in a protective box with measures against water damage and bending, so please rest assured.

* Size
Height: Approx. 14.8 cm
Width: Approx. 10.5 cm