By ando 
Azumigawa-cho Miosato (Miozato) in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, nestled on the west side of Lake Biwa. In this area of peaceful rural landscapes, there is a small jinja that history buffs and mystery lovers secretly pay attention to: Ankan Jinja (Ankan-jinja).
At first glance, it seems like a humble village guardian, but its grounds hide several “mysteries” that even modern science and history cannot fully unravel. This time, we will introduce some of the enigmatic stories related to this jinja.
Basic Information
Location: 362-2 Miosato, Azumigawa-cho, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture
Enshrined kami: Emperor Ankan (Ankan Tenno)
History: The founding date is unknown. This area is considered the birthplace of the 26th Emperor Keitai, and Emperor Ankan was his first son.
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Mystery 1: Indecipherable? The Enigmatic Jindai Moji Monument
The most striking feature on the grounds of Ankan Jinja is the “Jindai Moji (ancient Japanese characters) Monument,” situated across from the main shrine building. Carved into this massive stone, approximately 1 meter high and 1.4 meters wide, are strange patterns combining spirals, straight lines, and circles.
Ancient Writing, or Something Else?
It has been traditionally said that these carvings might be a type of “Jindai Moji,” believed to have been used in Japan before the introduction of Kanji characters. There is even a theory that they resemble symbols found in the ancient document “Hotsuma Tsutae,” and some enthusiasts regard it as a “message from ancient times,” viewing the site as sacred.
It Was a Bridge Until Recently?!
Remarkably, there’s a backstory that this precious stone monument was used as a “bridge” in a nearby river until a few decades ago. Villagers found it in the riverbed and used it as a convenient bridge. Then, someone noticed the peculiar nature of the carved patterns and realized, “This is no ordinary stone,” leading to its dedication to the jinja. If it had been left as it was, it might have vanished into the mists of history.
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Mystery 2: Theory of Being a Kofun Tomb Part
From an archaeological perspective, it is thought that this Jindai Moji Monument and the adjacent “Chikaraishi” (power stone) might be repurposed stone chambers (stone coffins or ceiling stones) from nearby kofun (ancient burial mounds).
Takashima City is a region associated with Emperor Keitai, where large kofun are scattered. There is also a realistic theory that the patterns carved into the stone are not characters at all, but rather “decorations” unique to the Kofun period, or marks made when quarrying the stone. However, why they are so intricately shaped remains a mystery.
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Legend: The Chikaraishi (Power Stone) of the “Superhuman Girl” Who Stopped a Water Dispute
Next to the Jindai Moji Monument is another stone called “Chikaraishi” (also known as Mizuguchiishi, or Water Inlet Stone). Here, a legend of a girl who saved the village remains.
Long ago, when a fierce water dispute broke out in this region, a strong village girl is said to have effortlessly lifted this massive stone and placed it at the mizuguchi (water intake) of a rice field, stopping the flow of water. Such was her incredible strength that those who were quarreling lost their will to fight, and the water dispute ceased.
This stone, too, has a flat shape reminiscent of kofun building material, and alongside the Jindai Moji Monument, it emits a mysterious aura within the jinja grounds.
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A Place Where You Can Feel the Bloodline of Emperor Keitai
Emperor Ankan, enshrined at Ankan Jinja, also holds symbolic significance as a protector of his lineage, given the dramatic history of his father, Emperor Keitai, who “was welcomed from the provinces (Echizen and Omi) to ascend the throne.”
Nearby, there are various spots that evoke ancient romance, such as “Enazuka,” said to be where Emperor Keitai’s umbilical cord was buried, and “Tsuruzuka,” a massive stone pagoda.
Visiting Tips
Ankan Jinja is located in a very quiet area, and precisely because it hasn’t been commercialized for tourism, you can feel a unique “serene mystery.”
Gazing intently at the Jindai Moji Monument, your imagination will run wild: Is it writing? A map? Or perhaps an ancient QR code (at least it seems like one)?…
If you’re looking to explore a “deeper side of Japan” that isn’t found in textbooks, perhaps as an extension to your Lake Biwa sightseeing, we highly recommend a visit.
Related Links / References
[1] The Mystery of Ancient Characters: The Jindai Moji Stone Remaining at Ankan Jinja, the Legendary Land of Emperor Keitai – Land of Monozukuri and Kotodama
[2] Historical Exploration: The Birthplace of Emperor Keitai ~Omi Takashima~ Part 2 – Recommended Spots in Shiga
[3] What are the ‘Jindai Moji’ of Ankan Jinja? – Searching for Mysterious and Moving Scenic Views in Japan
[4] New Omi Meisho Zue, Vol. 81: Writing or Picture? – The Jindai Moji Monument of Ankan Jinja – Shigabun Shinbun New Omi Meisho Zue
[5] Ankan Jinja | Biwako Takashima Tourism Guide
[6] Mysterious Ankan Stone…Mystical Ancient Patterns | Koh Sansetsu
[7] Monoshiri Encyclopedia
[8] Ankan Jinja (Takashima City) | Jinja Chikara and Tera Gokoro
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