Tobitenno has a long story as a former shrine of Fukuoka Sakakiyama Shrine
, and the following legend remains.
During Yoro of Emperess Gensho (680〜748) , The shaved head Eikyu Arata
lived in Uenaegi and was always devoted to Buddha and God. One moring ,
seven cedar seedlings were lined up in the garden of his house. When the
family members were wondering , like a shot , a family children said "I
am the sacred tree of Gozutenno. If I am the gurdian deity here , Uenaegi
will prosper for a long time." So he chose a clean land nearby , planted
the cedar seedlings , founded the shrine , called it Tobitenno , and respected
it as God , and the village also revered it. The place name "Uenaegi"
arises from this.
Toyama family has dominated uenaegi for generations and revered Tobitenno
as its deity. At the time of Genko and Kenmu (1331〜1334) , when the owner
of Koeji Castle was shaved head Toyama Ichiun , the world was greatly disturbed.
When King Munenaga , the price of Epperor Godaigo was hiding in Koeji Castle
, samurai from nearby countries uprised and attacked Koeji Castle. The lord of the castle of Koeji mourned a lot and prayed to the shrine
with all his heart becase his allies were small and demoralized. Then ,
two white feather arrows came out from the shrine and entered the enemy's
camp. Immediately , the heavens became cloudy as if ink had been washed
away , and with thunder , heavy rain began. The enemy soldiers seemed to
be badly shaken , so the owner of Koeji Castle told them , "It is
the blessing of the Tobitenno. Proceed. " They attacked without breathing
, and the enemy soldiers fled , as if the spider cubs were scattered.
For this reason , the prince deeply revered Tobitenno , wrote the eight
characters of "総社祇園牛頭天皇" , and offered the votive tablet at the
Tobitenno. After that , a spiritual dream said , "One side is the
Kiso River , the other side is a rugged stone , and there is a solid land
that looks like a folding screen. Build a castle there.". He woke
up and went in that direction with his family , and there was certainly
a place where the spiritual dream said , so he built and relocated the
castle , and called the new castle "Kasumigajyo Takamori". It is the ruins of Naegi Castle in Naegi , Nakatsugawa city. In
the Misaka Kodoki , it is stated that the area around the castle is called
"Naegi" after the old name of "Uenaegi". Then , Toyama
family tried to move their deity , Tobitenno , to the new castle , but
when they came to the curren Miyachi Hinokizaka Slope , the portable shrine
stopped moving like a rock. The officer thought strangely and hit or pushed
the servant , saying , "Proceed , go". But it was useless. At
this time , one child said "I am Gozutenno. You do not have to go to Takamori. This is a suitable place for me" By
this oracle , this place was regarded as a sacred place , and a temple
was built and made into Gozutennosya Temple (Sakakiyajmajinjya Srine). At
prezent , it is said that it is due to this event that the people are hit
with a branch of sakaki tree at the annual Beating Festival of Sakakiyamajinjya
Shrine. |
