By ando 
Chiguri Hachimangu (ちぐりはちまんぐう), located in Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga Prefecture, is counted as one of Kyushu’s Five Hachiman Shrines and is also known as Hizen no Kuni Ichinomiya. This jinja has long drawn the faith of people. However, hidden behind its history are miracles that happened overnight and mysterious prophetic rituals that continue to this day.
Basic Information
Location: 1 Shirokabe, Miyaki-cho, Miyaki-gun, Saga Prefecture
Enshrined Kami: Emperor Ojin (Ojin Tenno), Empress Jingu (Jingu Kogo), Tamayorihime no Mikoto (Tamayorihime no Mikoto)
Founded: Jinki 1 (724 AD)
Main Festivals: Okayu Matsuri (March 15), Gyoretsu Furyu (September)
Legend: The Mystery of the ‘Thousand Chestnut Trees’ That Grew Overnight
The unusual jinja name, written as ‘千栗’ (Chiguri) and read as ‘ちぐり’, has a mysterious legend associated with it.
In Jinki 1, Mibu no Muraji Masumaro (みぶのむらじますまろ), who was the district official of Yabu-gun, was hunting on Chiguri-yama (ちぐりやま) mountain in this area. He had a dream in which a white-haired old man appeared and told him, ‘Enshrine Hachiman kami here.’
The next morning, when he went to the mountain, it is said that in a spot where there should have been nothing the day before, a thousand chestnut trees had grown lush overnight. Furthermore, there is a strange tradition that all the chestnut trees grew upside down (a formation known as sakamaogi, or reversed palisade). It is said that Masumaro, in awe of this divine miracle, then built the shrine pavilion, marking its beginning.
Mystery: The ‘Okayu Dameshi’ Ritual, Where Mold Predicts the Future
The most mystical and nationally renowned event at Chiguri Hachimangu is the ‘Okayu Dameshi’ (おかゆだめし) ritual, held every March. This is a very rare divination ritual, designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
1. On February 26, porridge cooked in a large cauldron is divided into four bowls and placed in the shrine pavilion.
2. It is left untouched for several weeks, and on March 15, the condition of the ‘mold’ that has grown on its surface is observed.
3. Based on the color and growth of the mold, it predicts the success or failure of crops for that year, as well as disasters such as earthquakes, fires, and strong winds.
What is astonishing is its accuracy rate. It is rumored to have accurately predicted major natural disasters and changes in social conditions in the past, and not only locals but also people from distant places continuously pay close attention to its results. A ‘divine oracle’ that cannot be explained scientifically is quietly performed even in modern times.
Pilgrimage Site: As a Setting for the Anime ‘Zombieland Saga’
Chiguri Hachimangu is also known as a pilgrimage site for the popular anime ‘Zombieland Saga Revenge (Season 2),’ which is set in Saga Prefecture.
In Episode 2, the challenging 146 stone steps on this jinja’s approach (sando) served as the model for the staircase that Saki Nikaido runs up to re-train herself while listening to the ‘White Dragon’ radio program.
The steep stone steps are quite impressive when you actually climb them. Fans can experience Saki’s passionate determination by ascending them one step at a time. A magnificent view overlooking the Chikugo Plain awaits you at the top.
Behind the Scenes: The ‘Stone Walls’ and ‘Nabeshima Domain’ That Witnessed Rise and Fall
During the Sengoku period, this area was engulfed in war countless times. Especially during the conflicts between the Ryuzoji clan and the Otomo clan, Chiguri Hachimangu has a history of being used as a military stronghold.
The impressive current shrine pavilions and stone walls were rebuilt and maintained by the Nabeshima clan, lords of the Saga Domain, during the Edo period. As you walk through the jinja grounds, you might feel a powerful presence, like a ‘fortress’ guarding this land, rather than just a mere religious facility. This might be because the reverence of those samurai and the weight of history are etched into the site.
From the divine oracle revealed by a thousand chestnut trees to its modern status as an anime pilgrimage site and the ritual of porridge predicting the future, Chiguri Hachimangu can truly be called one of Saga Prefecture’s foremost power spots, where past, present, and future intersect.
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