Kobe's Shrines and Temple

Below is a sample of Kobe Shrines and Temple that I find of interest.  Remember shrines are Shinto Jinjya, and temples are Buddhist Tera.  Because the Japanese people have a very practical approach to religion, the religion were sort of mixed together during some periods of time in Japanese history, you will on occasion find Shinto "things" at Buddhist Tera's and visa versa.  For example, The practice of using Toori (those colored gateways) started around 922 AD.  They are Shinto and are found everywhere in and about a Shinto Shrine.  Buddhist Temple have a super small version that is often not even noticed and they are call Chinjusha (鎮守社) and marks a Shinto shrine on Buddhist temple grounds dedicated to the tutelary deity of the area.   As a quick aside, Shinto shrines have Komainu, which are these two big stone "inu" or dogs which really look like lions because the concept came form ancient "Chinese Shishi" or "Stone Lions" which are found in China guarding Buddhist Temple.  All that said, the left and right Komainu are actually saying something but what thy are saying has it origins in Hindu.  Very strange, but confirms by original thesis about the practical nature of Japanese Religion.   A sample of Shrine and Temples in Kobe

• 201 AD. Ikuta Jinjya  (生田神社) according to the Nihon Shoki, the shrine was established in 201 AD, and thus it is possibly among the oldest shrines in Japan..  However, historical dates from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th century that coming out of the seminal Japanese history book (and ANtional Records) appear to be shifted 70 some year backward (for some reason).  Shine site has been destroyed numerous times and move.  Current site is quite relatively quite small and in Kobe's "downtown" - Sannomiya - which ironically means "The Third Jinjya or Shrine".    Most people, including those who promote the location, don't seem comprehend the importance of the Shrine to Japan's early development and history.  Anyway, during the time of Empress Jingū (Emeror/ess #15*), the Shrine was used as the base for a festival welcoming warriors back from the latest attempt to invade Korean.  Interesting place for a party in my opinion and begs the question of why there.  I have an explanation but it goes beyond the scope brief description. 

• 201 AD. Nagata Jinjya (長田神社)  the second of 3 Jinjyas built by Empress Jingū (Emeror/ess #15*).  The third is in Hirota Jinjya (広田神社) in modern day Nishinomiya city.

• 646 AD.  Tenjō-ji (忉利天上寺) established by Buddhist monks in 646 AD supposively at the request of at the Emperor Kotuku (E#36).  Emperor Kotoku (E#36) is interesting as he is some one who successful engineered the over-throw of the government. He took the throne two days after Emperor #38, then a prince, the assassination main advisor Emperor #35 right in front of her at an official ceremony.  Temple was built in the same year as the "Taika no Kaishin of 646", reforms that were landmark change in the structure of the government.  Temple is located up on Mt Maya, which is named in the 8th century after Maya, the mother of Buddha.  As is with most temples and shrines in Japan, the temple faculties were was destroyed numerous times and often moved.   In 1333, the site (the a Castle) which was destroy in relatively famous battle.  Ancient sites are not on maps that are easy to come by.  Very interesting exploring.. 

• 866 AD.  Sumadera built in 866 AD.   Famous in connection with famous Genpei Battle of Ichinotani in 1184 AD where Minamoto no Yoshitsune took "Kobe", a Taira stronghold, and forced the Taira and the young Emperor Antoku to run away to Shikoku.  Cool place but the the burial mound of the head of Taira no Atsumori, a nephew of Taira no Kiyomori, is a bit creepy.   Also, for fans of Minamoto no Yoshitsune (almost everyone) there is a pine tree where it is said that he sat. 

• 1872 Minatogawa Jinjya (湊川神社) established in ____  Roughly the site of the Minatogawa no Tatakai (湊川の戦い) or Battle of Minato River was fought in 1336 between Emperor Go-Daigo (E# 96) forces and the Ashikaga clan.   This famous battle was a disaster Go-Daigo's forces.   Shrine is dedicated to Kusunoki Masashige, a famous general who fought for Go-Daigo.. Kusunoki Masashige and sever hundred of his men died near there by committing seppuku.  The interesting thing about this shrine has nothing to do with Go-Daigo.  Minatogawa Jinja 湊川神社 dedicated to Kusunoki Masashige but wasn't built until 1872, during the Meiji Jidai, when the government started siesing Buhhhist Temple and trasnforming them into shinto shrine, becasue Shinto worshiped Kami and the emperor was a Kami.  During this "shinto revitilization", 5 other famous new shrines were built - Yasukuni Shrine (Tokyo Shōkonsha, 1869, renamed 1879);   Toyokuni Jinja 豊国神社 (1880);   Tōkyō Daijingū 東京大神宮 (Kōtai Jingū branch shrine 皇大神宮遙拝所 1880);   Abeno Jinja 阿部野神社 dedicated to Kitabatake Chikafusa 北畠親房 (1882); and Kashihara Jingū 橿原神宮 dedicated to Emperor Jinmu (1889). All of these shrines were involved in emperor worship and were deeply colored by State Shinto.