Junisho Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Kanagawa Prefecture dedicated to the Twelve Guardian Deities (Junishin). The name 'Junisho' literally means 'twelve places' or 'twelve shrines,' reflecting the tradition of enshrining multiple protective deities within a single sacred space.
- Denomination
- Junisho
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Twelve Guardian Deities
- Kami enshrined
- Twelve Guardian Deities
- Coordinates
- 35.2334613, 139.6043987
Visitor tip
Look for representations of the twelve zodiac animals or directional symbols that may be displayed around the shrine grounds.
Cultural notes
The concept of Junisho shrines relates to the Buddhist-influenced practice of enshrining twelve protective deities, often corresponding to the twelve animals of the zodiac or twelve directional guardians. This represents the syncretic blending of Shinto and Buddhist traditions that was common before the Meiji period separation of the religions.