「宇佐神宮 神苑」大分県 / “Usa Jingu-Shrine Shinen” Oita-pref

「宇佐神宮 神苑」大分県宇佐市

宇佐神宮は全国にある八幡宮の総本社であり、京都の石清水八幡宮もその分社です。宇佐神宮は平安時代から国東半島に花開いた神仏習合の核として神宮寺の弥勒寺と合体しその御神託が朝廷の政治を動かすほどの絶大的な力を有した時代もありました。ご由緒には様々な説があり宇佐神宮にも元宮があって応神天皇ゆかりの福岡県飯塚市の大分八幡宮から遷座したとも言われますが、５７１年この地にあった菱形池のそばに八幡神が降臨し社殿が建立されたと伝わっています。その菱形池を池泉回遊式庭園として整えたのが宇佐神宮神苑です。「菱形」とは「比志方」すなわち神が顕現した聖地を意味する呼称で、池は実際に菱形をしている訳ではありません。池には四つの島が浮かんでおりそのうち大きな三島には神社特有の装飾がなされた紅い木橋が架けられ自由に回遊できます。池は蓮で覆われ周辺の植栽も近代のものが目立ちやや公園のような雰囲気ですが、本来は長い歴史を持つ古式庭園です。紅葉のシーズンには多くの人々が訪れ散策を楽しみます。境内の景観と合わせてご覧下さい。

◼︎名称：「宇佐神宮 神苑」

◼︎住所：大分県宇佐市南宇佐２８５９　

◼︎TEL: 0978-37-0001

◼︎駐車場：有り（有料）

◼︎アクセス：JR宇佐駅よりバス「四日市方面バス」乗車「宇佐八幡バス停」下車、約15分

東九州道の宇佐ICより車で１５分

"Usa Jingu" Usa City, Oita Prefecture

Usa Jingu is the head shrine of all Hachimangu shrines across Japan, and Iwashimizu Hachimangu in Kyoto is one of its branches. Usa Jingu was the core of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism that flourished on the Kunisaki Peninsula from the Heian period, and was united with the Mirokuji temple, a shrine temple, and at one time had such great power that its oracles influenced the politics of the imperial court. There are various theories about its origins, but it is said that in 571, Hachiman descended near the diamond-shaped pond that was located here, and the shrine was built there. Usa Jingu Shinen was created by arranging the diamond-shaped pond as a strolling garden. "Diamond" is a name that refers to a sacred place where the gods are manifested, but the pond is not actually diamond-shaped. There are four islands floating in the pond, and red wooden bridges decorated with shrine-specific ornaments are built over the three largest islands, allowing visitors to wander freely around them. The pond is covered with lotus flowers and the surrounding plants are mostly modern, giving it a somewhat park-like atmosphere, but it is actually an ancient garden with a long history. Many people visit during the autumn foliage season to enjoy a stroll. Please enjoy the view of the grounds as well.

◼︎Name: Usa Jingu

◼︎Address: 2859 Minamiusa, Usa City, Oita Prefecture

◼︎TEL: 0978-37-0001

◼︎Parking: Available (paid)

◼︎Access: Take the bus "Yokkaichi-bound bus" from JR Usa Station and get off at "Usa Hachiman bus stop", about 15 minutes

15 minutes by car from Usa IC on the Higashi Kyushu Expressway