By ando 
Basic Information
Name: Mutsuagata Jinja (Shrine)
Location: Shijo-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture (Note: While there is another jinja with the same name in Kawanishi Town, Shiki District, this article primarily introduces the shrine in Kashihara City, known as a sacred site.)
Enshrined kami: Mutsuagata no Mikoto
History: This is a Shikinaisha, a shrine listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, an ancient record of shrines. It is a jinja with a very deep history, collectively enshrining the “Yamato no Mutsuagata” (the six counties of Yamato) that were established in ancient Yamato Province.
The Mystery of Protecting the Ancient Emperor’s “Kitchen”
The intriguing name “Mutsuagata” refers to six directly controlled territories (Takaichi, Katsuragi, Toichi, Shiki, Yamabe, and Sopu) established in ancient Yamato Province.
In fact, these “Mutsuagata” were not just administrative divisions. They were “Miagata,” lands where vegetables and other foods for the Emperor’s table were cultivated – in essence, the “Imperial family’s exclusive vegetable gardens.”
Mutsuagata Jinja was established to enshrine the spirits of these sacred lands. Why were the kami of six different regions brought together in one place? It is believed that this area was close to ancient capitals like Fujiwara-kyo and Heijo-kyo, serving as a “spiritual center” for praying for the nation’s food safety and prosperity.
Pilgrimage Information for the Anime “Beyond the Boundary”
Mutsuagata Jinja is very famous among fans as a pilgrimage site for “Beyond the Boundary,” a popular anime produced by Kyoto Animation.
It is said that Mutsuagata Jinja served as the model for the prestigious Nase family of Spirit World Warriors who appear in the series. The shrine scenery where the heroine Mirai Kuriyama and the siblings Mitsuki and Hiroomi Nase spend their time faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the actual shrine grounds.
Highlights: The quiet trees surrounding the shrine grounds and the ancient appearance of the main hall (haiden) perfectly capture the anime’s worldview, where “the ordinary and the extraordinary coexist.”
Pilgrimage Tip: It is within walking distance from Kashiharajingu-mae Station. A classic pilgrimage route combines it with Kashihara Jingu and Fukada Pond, which are also sacred sites. Since the jinja is nestled in a quiet residential area, please observe good manners and pray quietly when visiting.
Behind the Scenes and Episodes: Another “Mutsuagata Jinja” and a Unique Festival
In fact, there is another “Mutsuagata Jinja” (written with different kanji, 六縣神社, but pronounced the same) in Kawanishi Town, Shiki District, Nara Prefecture.
At this jinja, a very unique Rice Planting Festival called “Kodeki Onda” is held annually on February 11th. In this festival, masked performers act out the motions of rice planting, while an actor playing a pregnant woman performs a scene of childbirth, with a “taiko” (drum) representing the baby.
This humorous and mystical festival, where “a drum is born,” prays for a bountiful harvest and the prosperity of descendants, conveying the profound depth of Yamato’s agricultural culture even today.
How to Enjoy Your Visit
Mutsuagata Jinja in Kashihara City is an off-the-beaten-path spot where you can feel the tranquil atmosphere of ancient Yamato, precisely because it hasn’t been commercialized for tourism.
As you walk the approach path, perhaps trod by anime characters, reflect on its history of “protecting the Emperor’s food.” While there are no elaborate decorations, you will surely feel the “power of guardianship” that lingers there.
Related Links / References
[1] https://tabi-mag.jp/masudanoiwafune/
[2] https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8B%90%E3%81%AE%E5%AB%81%E5%85%A5%E3%82%8A
[3] https://www.town.nara-kawanishi.lg.jp/cmsfiles/contents/0000000/114/Kodeki-onda.pdf
[4] https://yamatotk.web.fc2.com/kawanishi_miyake/mutuagata.htm
[5] https://www.nantokanko.jp/midokoro/1527.html
[6] https://ameblo.jp/sakurazaka128/entry-12838972394.html