The Hiromine Shrine (広峯神社) is on top of Mt. Hiromine in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It claims to be the main shrine of Gozu Tenno across Japan, but Yasaka-jinja Shrine also claims to be the main shrine of Gozu Tenno. It used to be a prefectural shrine, but now it is a Beppyo shrine under the Association of Shinto Shrines. People also call it Hiromine Gozu Tenno. It is an ancient shrine with a well-known name.
The worship of Gozu Tenno was originally related to the belief in avoiding epidemics and disasters by appeasing malevolent spirits. However, at Hiromine shrine, the focus of worship shifted to praying for the fertility of rice cultivation. This became known as "Hiromine Faith," and it is why the shrine is quite different from normal Gion faith shrines. This is evident in the rice planting festival and prayer festival that are held at the shrine.
Kuroda Takataka (Kanbei, Josui) Ancestral Tradition
In 2018, it was announced that a shrine would be built to honor Kuroda Takataka (also known as Kanbei) behind the main hall, and it was planned to be finished in the spring of 2019. Many people visit the shrine to worship Kuroda Kanbei and the land associated with the Kuroda family.
There is a legend about Shigetaka Kuroda, a military commander during the Warring States period, in our shrine. The legend includes the use of letters such as "Cho", "Masa", "Takashi", and "Kan" in the name "Kanbei", suggesting a connection to Shigetaka Kuroda. However, no connection has been found, and he is believed to have come from a different family in Kurodasho, Taka County, not the Kuroda family of Omi Province.
Historical records show that a senior vassal of the Kuroda family, Mr. Inokuchi, was a monk and priest at the shrine. A part of a Katsura tree discovered from the Mausoleum of Kuroda Shikinaka in Mega, Himeji City during the Edo period was enshrined at the newly built Kanbei Shrine. It was donated to Mine Shrine and became an object of worship at Kanbei Shrine.