Warei Shrine is dedicated to Yamashiro-no-kami Hidemune, a retainer of the Todo clan who died unjustly and became deified as a protective spirit. The shrine is part of the Warei faith tradition that originated in Ehime Prefecture and spread to other parts of Shikoku.
- Denomination
- Warei
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Yamashiro-no-kami Hidemune
- Kami enshrined
- Yamashiro-no-kami Hidemune
- Founding
- Edo period
- Coordinates
- 33.536352, 133.5106053
Visitor tip
Warei shrines are known for their connection to justice and protection from wrongful accusations.
Cultural notes
The Warei faith represents a unique form of spirit worship where a historical figure became deified due to the circumstances of his death, reflecting Japanese beliefs about vengeful spirits (onryo) that can be transformed into protective deities through proper veneration.
Historical note
The Warei faith centers on the deification of Yamashiro-no-kami Hidemune, a samurai retainer who served the Todo clan in Uwajima during the early Edo period. After his unjust death, he was believed to have become a powerful spirit. The original Warei Shrine was established in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, with branch shrines later founded in other locations including Kochi.