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Sochinjyu refers to a shrine that protects an entire nation or region. The deity enshrined there is also called Sochinjyu.
Sochinjyu is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the region. It is typically enshrined at a shrine and worshipped by the local people.
The shrine itself may be called Sochinjyu, while the deity is sometimes referred to as Sochinjyu-shin (Chief Guardian Deity).
While the specific details of Sochinjyu vary depending on location and context, the general characteristics are as follows.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Regional Guardian Deity | Sochinjyu is typically worshipped as the guardian deity of a specific region or community. It is an important presence for local communities and organizations, believed to protect the land and its people while bringing prosperity. |
| Shrine Guardian | Shrines serve as places where Sochinjyu is enshrined. Shrines enshrine the presence of the deity for their region or organization and serve as objects of worship. Shrines come in various forms and sizes. |
| Festivals and Rituals | Festivals and rituals related to Sochinjyu are held on certain occasions. These events are conducted during specific periods or events to express gratitude to the deity, offer prayers, and pray for regional peace. Festivals may include mikoshi processions, stage performances, and kagura sacred dances. |
| Tradition and Faith | Faith in Sochinjyu is often connected to regional traditions and history. The historical and cultural significance of the deity to that region or organization shapes the depth of the faith. |
Sochinjyu has existed throughout Japan since ancient times, and its exact origins are unclear. However, it is generally believed that shrines that were originally worshipped as guardian deities of a particular area came to be enshrined as the guardian deities of the entire region as that area expanded its influence or was unified.
Examples of Sochinjyu include the following.
The Sochinjyu of all Japan, enshrining Amaterasu Omikami.
Ise Jingu is a shrine that enshrines Amaterasu Omikami as its principal deity. Amaterasu Omikami is the ancestor of the Imperial family and is worshipped as the ancestral deity of all Japanese people. Therefore, Ise Jingu is recognized as a shrine that protects all of Japan.
The history of Ise Jingu being recognized as Sochinjyu dates back to ancient times. In ancient times, Ise Jingu held a special status as the shrine enshrining Amaterasu Omikami, the ancestor of the Imperial family. Ise Jingu was also considered the head shrine of all the deities of Japan and fulfilled its role as the shrine protecting all of Japan.
From the medieval period onward, Ise Jingus status as Sochinjyu became even more firmly established. Governments such as the Kamakura Shogunate and Muromachi Shogunate venerated Ise Jingu as the nations guardian deity and elevated its authority. Pilgrimages to Ise Jingu also became popular among common people, and its status as Sochinjyu became more widely recognized.
Even today, Ise Jingu maintains its status as the Sochinjyu of all Japan. Ise Jingu receives reverence from shrines and temples throughout Japan and plays an important role as a shrine praying for the peace and prosperity of all Japan.
Note that Ise Jingu serves as the Sochinjyu of all Japan while also being the local guardian shrine of Ise City, Mie Prefecture.
The Sochinjyu of the entire Izumo region.
Izumo Taisha is a shrine located in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. Its principal deity is Okuninushi no Okami.
Izumo Taisha has been worshipped as the guardian deity of the Izumo region since ancient times. Izumo Taisha is the setting of the kuniyuzuri myth (the transfer of the land), and Okuninushi no Okami has been worshipped as the deity of the kuniyuzuri, protecting the peace and prosperity of the Izumo region.
Izumo Taisha is considered the Sochinjyu of the entire Izumo region as a shrine that has served as the guardian deity of the Izumo region and contributed to the development of its culture.
Served as the guardian shrine of Edo Castle during the Edo period and is considered the guardian deity of all Edo.
Kanda Myojin is a shrine located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Its three principal deities are Onamuchi no Mikoto, Sukunahikona no Mikoto, and Taira no Masakado no Mikoto.
During the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu venerated Kanda Myojin as the shrine protecting the front demon gate of Edo Castle. In 1616 (Genna 2), with the expansion of Edo Castle, Kanda Myojin was relocated to its current location.
As the guardian shrine of Edo Castle, Kanda Myojin received the veneration of the Edo Shogunate and played an important role as the guardian deity of Edo Castle. It was also widely worshipped by the common people of Edo and played an important role as the Sochinjyu of Edo, praying for the prosperity of Edo and the safety of its people.
In the Meiji period, Kanda Myojin was designated as a Tokyo Prefecture Shrine and maintained its status as the guardian deity of Tokyo.
Even today, Kanda Myojin is worshipped by many people as the guardian deity of Tokyo. The Kanda Festival, the summer festival of Kanda Myojin, is one of the three great festivals of Edo and attracts large crowds.
Note that Kanda Myojin served as the guardian shrine of Edo Castle during the Edo period while also being the guardian shrine of the Edo urban area.
Considered the guardian deity of the entire Kumano region.
Kumano Sanzan refers to three shrines located from southern Wakayama Prefecture to Mie Prefecture: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha. The principal deities are Ketsumimiko no Okami at Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama no Okami and Kumano Fusumi no Okami at Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Fusumi no Okami at Kumano Nachi Taisha.
Kumano Sanzan has been worshipped as the guardian deity of the Kumano region since ancient times. The Kumano region has long been a transportation hub and a rich land blessed with nature such as sea and mountains. Therefore, Kumano Sanzan has attracted the faith of people as deities protecting the peace and prosperity of the Kumano region.
Although there are many other shrines in the Kumano region besides Kumano Sanzan, Kumano Sanzan are the representative shrines of the Kumano region and are considered the guardian shrines of the entire Kumano region due to their history and cultural background.
Considered the guardian deity of all of Nara Prefecture.
Kasuga Taisha is a shrine located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Its four principal deities are Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, Futsunushi no Mikoto, Amenokoyane no Mikoto, and Himegami.
Kasuga Taisha was founded during the Nara period as the clan shrine of the Fujiwara clan under the reign of Empress Shotoku. Since the Nara period, it has played an important role as the guardian deity of Nara Prefecture.
Kasuga Taisha is a representative shrine of Nara Prefecture and symbolizes the history and culture of Nara Prefecture. Also, because Kasuga Taisha has an older history than Yamato Shrine, which is considered the Sochinjyu of Nara Prefecture, and has played an important historical role, it is sometimes regarded as the Sochinjyu.
Chinjyu refers to a shrine or its deity that protects a specific region or structure.
The origins of Chinjyu date back to ancient times. In ancient times, deities such as Amaterasu Omikami and Okuninushi no Mikoto were worshipped as guardian deities of nations and regions. It is also believed that shrines were often built as guardian deities for structures such as castles and temples.
From the medieval period onward, shrines enshrining deities to protect local clans and villages came to be built in each region. Such shrines are called ujigami shrines or ubusuna shrines. Ujigami shrines and ubusuna shrines gathered the faith of local residents and played an important role as regional guardian deities.
Even today, Chinjyu gathers the faith of local residents and plays an important role as regional guardian deities. For example, many towns and villages have shrines that serve as the Chinjyu of that town or village. Also, public facilities such as schools and hospitals sometimes have shrines built as the Chinjyu of that facility.
Chinjyu can be said to be an existence that has been close to peoples lives as shrines praying for regional safety and prosperity, protecting and passing down regional history and culture.
Specific examples of Chinjyu include the following.
Chinjyu is an existence that has been close to peoples lives as the guardian deity of that region or structure, protecting and passing down regional history and culture.
Both Sochinjyu and Chinjyu are words referring to shrines, but their meanings differ.
Sochinjyu refers to a shrine that protects an entire nation or region. The deity is also called Sochinjyu.
Chinjyu refers to a shrine that protects a specific region or structure. The deity is also called Chinjyu.
Thus, Sochinjyu is a shrine that protects an entire nation or region, while Chinjyu is a shrine that protects a specific region or structure.
For example, Ise Jingu enshrines Amaterasu Omikami as its principal deity and is considered the Sochinjyu of all Japan. Also, Kitano Tenmangu, which guards the Kyoto Imperial Palace, is considered the Sochinjyu of Kyoto.
Note that Sochinjyu and Chinjyu are sometimes treated as the same depending on the region. For example, Hakusan Shrine in Niigata Prefecture is considered the Sochinjyu of Niigata Prefecture while also being worshipped as the Chinjyu of Niigata City.
Thus, while Sochinjyu and Chinjyu differ in meaning, their interpretation and naming may vary depending on the region.
Sochinjyu and Chinjyu have attracted the faith of people since ancient times as the center of regional faith, as places praying for regional peace and prosperity.
They are existences that symbolize regional history and culture and are important existences for the people of the region.
Sochinjyu and Chinjyu are considered important existences in regions and organizations as part of Japanese Shinto and continue as part of faith and culture.
