By ando 
Basic Information
Izushi Jinja (いずしじんじゃ), located in Miyaochi, Izushi-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is an ancient shrine revered as Tajima Province’s most prestigious Ichinomiya.
Location: 99 Miyaochi, Izushi-cho, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture
Main Kami: Izushiyamae no Okami, Amenohiboko no Mikoto
Shrine Rank: Ichinomiya of Tajima Province, former Kokuhei Chusha (national shrine, second rank), Shikinaisha (Myojin Taisha)
It is situated in a quiet settlement, a short distance from Shinkoro (しんころう), the symbol of Izushi. Its vast grounds are enveloped in a serene atmosphere.
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Legend: Amenohiboko, the Prince of Silla, and the Mystery of His Arrival
Essential to Izushi Jinja’s history is the legend of its main kami, Amenohiboko no Mikoto (あめのひぼこ). According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, he was a prince from Silla (an ancient kingdom on the Korean Peninsula) who crossed over to Japan in pursuit of a beautiful woman born from a red jewel.
When he naturalized in Japan, he presented the reigning Emperor with the “Eight Kinds of Sacred Treasures” (yakusa no kandakara). These were treasures imbued with mysterious spiritual power, including jewels, mirrors, swords, and the “Hahuto no Tama” (feather-thick jewel). Izushi Jinja enshrines these eight sacred treasures as Izushiyamae no Okami, illustrating how culture brought from abroad significantly contributed to the development of this region.
Mystery: The “Cutting of Seto” that Reclaimed a Muddy Sea
Legend has it that the Izushi Basin was once a vast “muddy sea” (lake) surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is said that Amenohiboko, to transform this area into fertile land suitable for human habitation, kicked open (or cut through) the rock face at “Seto” (present-day Seto, Toyooka City), which was the basin’s outlet, allowing the water to drain into the Sea of Japan.
This dynamic tale of pioneering is not merely a myth; geological studies suggest that this area may indeed have once been a lake. It is believed that the memory of ancient groups possessing advanced hydraulic engineering skills who reclaimed this land was preserved as a “myth.”
Behind the Scenes: Another Footprint of Amenohiboko and Isonokami Jingu
A historical mystery is hidden within the “Eight Kinds of Sacred Treasures” brought by Amenohiboko. In fact, the “Ten Kinds of Sacred Treasures” passed down at Isonokami Jingu (いそのかみじんぐ) in Nara Prefecture bear a striking resemblance to Izushi Jinja’s “Eight Kinds of Sacred Treasures,” leading to the theory that they may share the same origin.
Furthermore, before settling in Izushi, Amenohiboko traveled through various regions such as Harima (southern Hyogo Prefecture) and Omi (Shiga Prefecture), leaving behind shrines dedicated to him and traces of his pioneering efforts. Why did he ultimately choose Izushi as his final resting place? This hints at the delicate distance he maintained from the Yamato Court of the time, and ancient political intentions to control trade routes along the Sea of Japan.
Episode: A Love Rivalry Over the Beautiful Goddess Izushi Otome
The Kojiki records a very romantic, yet somewhat cruel, episode related to the kami of Izushi Jinja: the wager between brother kami over Izushi Otome (いずしおとめ).
Izushi Otome, said to be a daughter (or descendant) of Amenohiboko, was sought in marriage by many kami due to her beauty. A pair of brother kami made a wager on “who could win her heart.” The elder brother failed, while the younger brother, with his mother’s help, successfully won her. However, because the elder brother, having lost the wager, failed to pay the promised prize, the enraged mother performed a curse ritual, causing the elder brother to wither away. This legend suggests that the land of Izushi has long been a place where “beautiful women” and “strict divine laws” coexist.
Highlights: The Dignity of an Ichinomiya Standing in Serenity
Although the current shrine buildings were rebuilt during the Taisho period, the sturdy irimoya-zukuri style haiden (worship hall) is impressively powerful. In a corner of the grounds, there is also a traditional site where relics said to belong to Amenohiboko were buried, allowing you to feel the breath of ancient times with every step.
Take a step away from the lively castle town, famous for Izushi soba noodles, and come feel the power of the pioneering kami who opened up Tajima Province.
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