A Suwa shrine in Kumamoto Prefecture dedicated to Takeminakata-no-mikoto, the deity of war, hunting, and agriculture. Suwa shrines are found throughout Japan, originating from the main Suwa Taisha in Nagano Prefecture, and serve as important local centers of worship.
- Denomination
- Suwa
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Takeminakata-no-mikoto
- Kami enshrined
- Takeminakata-no-mikoto
- Coordinates
- 32.7224543, 130.3552699
Visitor tip
Look for the distinctive Suwa shrine architecture and symbols associated with the hunting deity Takeminakata.
Cultural notes
Takeminakata-no-mikoto is known as a powerful deity of war and hunting in Japanese mythology, often depicted with a bow and associated with the winds and mountains of the Suwa region.
Historical note
Suwa shrines were established across Japan as branch shrines of the prestigious Suwa Taisha in Shinano Province (modern Nagano). These shrines were particularly promoted by the Kamakura shogunate and spread by warriors and migrants who carried the worship of Takeminakata-no-mikoto to new territories.