Iwashimizu Hachimangū, a Hachiman shrine in Yawata, Kyoto.

A Hachiman shrine (八幡神社, Hachiman Jinja, also Hachimangū (八幡宮)) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Hachiman.[1] It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated to Inari Ōkami (see Inari shrine).[1] There are about 44,000 Hachiman shrines.

Originally the name 八幡 was read Yawata or Yahata, a reading still used in some cases. Many towns and cities incorporating the names Hachiman, Yawata or Yahata grew around these shrines.

Famous Hachiman shrines

The following four shrines are often grouped into groups of three, either as Usa-Iwashimizu-Hakozaki or Usa-Iwashimizu-Tsurugaoka, and both of these groupings are known as the Three Major Hachiman Shrines of Japan (三大八幡宮).

Other notable Hachiman shrines

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Motegi, Sadazumi. "Shamei Bunpu (Shrine Names and Distributions)" (in Japanese). Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 23 March 2010.
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