By ando 
Basic Information
Name: Kazama jinja
Location: 781-1 Kazama, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture
Main enshrined kami: Shinatsuhiko-no-mikoto (kami of wind)
Kami also enshrined: Kotoshiro-nushi-no-mikoto, Uka-no-mitama-no-mikoto
Annual Festival: October 1st and 2nd
Access: Approximately 4km southeast of JR Nagano Station. The jinja is quietly situated in a residential area.
The Legend of the “Kami of Wind” Who Calmed the Raging River
Kazama jinja has an extremely ancient history, listed as a Shikinaisha (jinja listed in the Engishiki-jinmyocho, 927 AD) in the Heian period.
This area was once plagued by repeated floods from the Susobana River, feared as a “raging river.” It is said that the villagers, hoping to control the river’s flow and pray for abundant harvests, began to enshrine Shinatsuhiko-no-mikoto, the kami who governs wind.
Furthermore, there is a theory that “Minochi-no-kami,” mentioned in the Nihon Shoki (596 AD), and “Hyobetsu-no-kami,” appearing in historical records, refer to Kazama jinja. This suggests a mysterious background as a base for “Fujin Shinko” (wind kami worship), which was considered important on a national scale since ancient times.
The Birthplace of the Kazama Clan, Roots of Samurai
The place name “Kazama,” which is also the jinja’s name, is the origin of the samurai family, the Kazama clan, who ruled this area.
In the late Heian period, Yajima Tadanao, a member of the priestly family of Suwa Taisha, was dispatched to this land and took the place name “Kazama” as his family name. Across from the jinja, a stone monument commemorating “The Birthplace of the Kazama Clan” was erected in 2022, and many people still visit it as the root of the Kazama surname nationwide.
The Kazama clan later advanced into Echigo (present-day Niigata Prefecture) and played significant roles on the stage of history, such as actively supporting the Southern Court during the Nanbokucho period.
Anime Pilgrimage: A Deep Connection with Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi
For fans of the manga Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi (written by Yusei Matsui), which has been adapted into an anime and is generating considerable buzz, Kazama jinja is an unmissable spot.
Kazama Genba, a key character in the story and a member of the “Tokiwato” supporting the protagonist Hojo Tokiyuki. The roots of the Kazama clan, who served as his model, are precisely here in Kazama, Nagano City.
In the story, Kazama Genba demonstrates agility and techniques reminiscent of the “blessings of the kami of wind.” Knowing that the jinja’s main enshrined kami is Shinatsuhiko-no-mikoto, the kami of wind, reveals the depth of the character’s setting. This is a must-visit “sacred place” for fans to truly experience the history of the Kazama clan, who had deep ties with Suwa Taisha.
The Traditional Performing Art “Daidai Kagura Shishimai” Enduring for Over 180 Years
Kazama jinja is home to the “Kazama Jinja Daidai Kagura Shishimai,” a lion dance that has been performed since Bunsei 5 (1822).
This shishimai is characterized by its lack of lyrics and the valiant dance of a male lion holding a tachi (long sword). It has been designated as a selected intangible folk cultural asset of Nagano City. The dance, which seems to cut through the wind and ward off evil, is truly imbued with the power unique to a jinja dedicated to the kami of wind.
Points for Visiting
The jinja grounds are remarkably quiet, with magnificent zelkova trees, designated as preserved trees, evoking a sense of historical gravitas. While not a flashy tourist destination, it is a place brimming with mysterious charm where ancient wind kami worship, the spirit of medieval samurai, and the world of modern anime intersect.
Why not feel the “wind” and ponder the mysteries of history here?
Related Links / References