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Tokiwa Shrine

常盤神社

Tokiwa Jinja

Yamaguchi

A shrine in Yamaguchi Prefecture dedicated to the tragic figures of the late Heian period, particularly Emperor Antoku who perished at the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185, and Taira no Tomomori, a prominent Taira clan warrior who also died in the final battle of the Genpei War.

Denomination
Imperial
Religion
shinto
Enshrined kami
Emperor Antoku and Taira no Tomomori
Kami enshrined
Emperor Antoku, Taira no Tomomori
Founding
Medieval period
Coordinates
33.9504195, 131.2832954

Visitor tip

The shrine offers a quiet place for reflection on one of Japan's most poignant historical tragedies.

Cultural notes

The shrine represents the Japanese cultural tradition of enshrining tragic historical figures, particularly those who died young or met unfortunate ends, transforming them into objects of veneration and memorial.

Historical note

The shrine commemorates the end of the Taira clan's power and the tragic death of the child Emperor Antoku, who drowned at Dan-no-ura along with many Taira warriors including Tomomori. This battle marked the decisive victory of the Minamoto clan and the beginning of the Kamakura period.

More shrines in Yamaguchi