Oshaku Shrine

Overview

Oshaku Shrine is a shrine located in the former Kamitsuki village of Miyakejima, one of the Izu Islands, in Miyake Village, Tokyo. Miyakejima has long nurtured a faith culture unique to the island, and Oshaku Shrine, as one of its historic old shrines, has been deeply connected with the daily life of the island's people. Its enshrined deities center on two seats, Mishima Daimyojin and Sakitamahime-no-Mikoto, together with eight child deities and others enshrined alongside them, occupying an important position within the faith system of Miyakejima, which regards Mishima Daimyojin as the guardian deity of the islands.

The "Rituals of Oshaku Shrine" performed at the shrine are designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and ancient dances handed down on the island and performances of island drums (shimadaiko), songs and dances unique to Miyakejima, are passed down. Amid the harsh yet rich nature of a volcanic island, the prayers of the islanders for warding off epidemics and misfortune and for the peace of the island have been continuously handed down to the present in the form of these rituals.

History and Origins

The exact date of Oshaku Shrine's founding is not clear, but its origins are ancient, and it is known as a historic shrine recorded even in the "Miyake-ki," the chronicle of the island's history. According to shrine tradition, it is said to have been relocated to its present site by divine oracle in 1516 (Eisho 13), suggesting that it already held importance on the island by at least the late Muromachi period. Miyakejima formed a distinctive sphere of faith regarding Mishima Daimyojin as the parent deity of the islands, and within that faith, Oshaku Shrine gathered the reverence of the people as the guardian shrine of Kamitsuki village.

The fact that Sakitamahime-no-Mikoto, one of the enshrined deities, along with eight child deities and others, is enshrined together shows that the lineage of the island's gods centered on Mishima Daimyojin is enshrined in a multilayered way at Oshaku Shrine. On Miyakejima, which lies side by side with volcanic activity, calamities such as eruptions and epidemics have threatened the island's life many times. Amid this, people wished for the island's safety by praying to the gods, and Oshaku Shrine, as one center of those prayers, has continued to support the island's faith through long ages. The very origin of relocation by divine oracle tells of how the island's people have lived while fearing and revering the will of the gods.

Highlights

The greatest highlight of Oshaku Shrine is the "Rituals of Oshaku Shrine," designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In these rituals, dances long handed down on the island and powerful performances of island drums are dedicated, and you can witness songs and dances unique to Miyakejima. In the distinctive gestures and rhythms unique to an island, different from the festivals of the mainland, one can feel the depth of a faith culture nurtured independently on an island surrounded by the sea.

The shrine itself stands in a serene space embraced by the rich nature of a volcanic island, exuding the solemn atmosphere befitting a guardian shrine of an island far from the bustle of the mainland. Standing within the precincts surrounded by dense greenery, the weight of the faith that the island's people have protected and handed down over long ages quietly comes through. The simple yet earnest prayers of the islanders, wishing for the warding off of epidemics and misfortune, are embodied in each gesture of the rituals, and that figure leaves a deep impression on the hearts of visitors.

A distinctive feature of Miyakejima's faith is that Mishima Daimyojin is regarded as the parent deity of all the islands, with his child deities enshrined at the shrines of each village, so that the whole island is bound together by a single lineage of gods. The enshrinement at Oshaku Shrine of Sakitamahime-no-Mikoto and eight child deities and others strongly reflects this faith system unique to the island. Unlike mainland shrines, which exist independently of one another, the shrines of Miyakejima are linked to each other by divine ties, forming a single great world of faith across the whole island. Within that world, Oshaku Shrine has served as the guardian shrine of Kamitsuki village, receiving prayers at every milestone of the islanders' lives.

Access and Visiting Information

The rituals of Oshaku Shrine and festivals such as the New Year's rite are performed as the shrine's annual events. Because the dates of rituals including the regular festival are set each year, those who wish to worship or observe are advised to check in advance through information on the shrines of Miyakejima or the tourism information of Miyake Village.

Access to Miyakejima is mainly by large passenger ship departing from Takeshiba Pier in Tokyo, or by air from Chofu Airport. On the island, you travel to the former Kamitsuki village where Oshaku Shrine stands by rental car or local bus. As it is a remote island, travel requires a fair amount of time, but in exchange you can deeply experience the faith and nature unique to the island, not found on the mainland.

Nearby Attractions

Miyakejima is a volcanic island with the active volcano Mount Oyama, attractive for its dynamic volcanic terrain and rich nature. The coastline formed by hardened lava flows and the distinctive scenery shaped by volcanic activity are highlights unique to the island. Miyakejima is also known as a sacred place for birdwatching, home to many precious wild birds including the Izu thrush (akakokko). Besides Oshaku Shrine, historic shrines such as Toga Shrine, which enshrines Mishima Daimyojin, are scattered across the island, so you can also enjoy a pilgrimage touring the island's faith. Along with shrine worship, you can fully enjoy the nature and culture of Miyakejima, where sea, mountain, and faith are united.

Related Information

Oshaku Shrine is a historic shrine that has long gathered reverence as the guardian shrine of Kamitsuki village within the distinctive faith system of Miyakejima, which regards Mishima Daimyojin as the overall guardian deity of the islands. Its history, recorded in the "Miyake-ki" and conveying the relocation by divine oracle in Eisho 13, conveys to the present how the island's people have carried on their lives, sustained by prayers to the gods, in the harsh environment of a volcanic island. The dances and island drums handed down in the "Rituals of Oshaku Shrine," an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, are a precious heritage embodying an island faith culture distinct from the mainland, and can be said to be indispensable for understanding the history and life of Miyakejima.

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