By ando 
In a tranquil forest, a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the beautiful lakeside in Fujikawaguchiko town, Yamanashi Prefecture, stands a jinja. Its name is Oarashi Tenjinsha (pronounced O-arashi Tenjinsha). As its name suggests, it is a well-known jinja, famous among those who know it, attracting attention for legends related to a ‘storm’ that once struck this area, its deep connections to the Takeda clan, revered as the strongest warriors of the Sengoku period, and even as a setting for a popular anime.
Basic Information
Location: 71 Oarashi, Fujikawaguchiko-machi, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture
Enshrined Kami: Onamuchi no Mikoto, Sukunahikona no Mikoto, Sugawara no Michizane-ko
Main Divine Blessings: Academic achievement, matchmaking, bountiful harvest, warding off evil
1200 Years of History and the “Storm” Legend
The founding of Oarashi Tenjinsha dates back to the early Heian period, specifically to the second year of Daido (807 CE). It is believed to have begun when the villagers of Oarashi invited Onamuchi no Mikoto and Sukunahikona no Mikoto, kami of nation-building, to be enshrined.
The striking place name ‘Oarashi’ (literally ‘Great Storm’) has its background in the fact that this area was subject to strong winds blowing down from Mount Fuji. The jinja has served as a ‘sakai no kami’ (kami of boundaries), calming the fierce natural threat (the storm) and protecting the village’s borders.
Later, around the Tenryaku era (950 CE) in the mid-Heian period, Sugawara no Michizane-ko, renowned as the kami of scholarship, was enshrined alongside them, and the jinja began to be widely revered as a Tenmangu.
The “Behind-the-Scenes Story” of Reverence by Takeda Shingen’s Ancestors
This jinja has a deep connection with the Takeda clan, powerful daimyo of Kai province.
It is said that during the late Heian period, Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu (Minamoto no Yoshimitsu), one of the ancestors of the Takeda clan, provided generous protection to the jinja. Furthermore, in Eikyo 12 (1440 CE) during the Muromachi period, Takeda Nobushige, an ancestor of Takeda Shingen, constructed the main hall.
Although the original main hall was once lost in a great fire at the end of the Edo period, the current main hall, rebuilt in Koka 2 (1845 CE), is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by Fujikawaguchiko town due to its exquisite craftsmanship.
Mystery of the Dazaifu Plum Blossoms in the Shrine Grounds
When one thinks of Tenjin-sama, one thinks of plum blossoms, but the plum trees at Oarashi Tenjinsha have a special story.
It is said that the plum trees planted in the jinja grounds were brought here and planted by a former resident of this district, who received them directly from the chief priest of Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka Prefecture. These plum trees, transported all the way from Kyushu to the foot of Mount Fuji, still delight students and visitors with their blossoms every spring.
Super Cub Anime Pilgrimage Site
Oarashi Tenjinsha is also known as a pilgrimage site for the popular anime ‘Super Cub,’ which depicts the daily lives of high school girls who love motorcycles.
In episode 12 (the final episode), the area around this jinja and the nearby Oarashi Tunnel (Tenjin Tunnel) appear during the protagonists Koguma and her friends’ ‘Spring Journey’ as they head south in search of spring.
The jinja’s appearance, surrounded by a quiet forest, captures the very essence of the anime’s world, and many fans, including Cub owners (owners of Super Cub motorcycles), visit this place to follow in their footsteps.
Points for Visiting
The jinja is located on a ridge (Tenjin Pass) nestled between Mount Hanego and Mount Ashiwada, and the surrounding air is exceptionally clear.
While it has not been developed into a flashy tourist destination, precisely because of this, it is a power spot where you can feel the solemn atmosphere of a ‘sacred precinct.’ When you visit Fujikawaguchiko, why not extend your journey a little and experience the quiet breath of the kami who calms the storms?
Related Links / References
Jinja Fan
Kawaguchiko.net
Weblio Dictionary
Wikipedia
Note.com