Mekari Shrine
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Expand Japanese|topic=struct|和布刈神社|date=September 2011}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Mekari-jinja
和布刈神社
| image = Mekari-jinja 07.JPG
| caption = The honden, or main shrine
| map_type = Japan
| map_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|33|57|39|N|130|57|44|E|source:kolossus-jawiki|display=title,inline}}
| map_relief =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| religious_affiliation = Shinto
| type =
| deity = Emperor Chūai
Empress Jingū
| founded_by =
| established = C.200 AD
| date_destroyed =
| location = 3492, Moji, Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū
Fukuoka 801-0855
| website = {{URL|http://mekarijinjya.web.officelive.com/}}
| architecture_style =
| festival =
| leadership =
}}
{{Nihongo|Mekari Shrine|和布刈神社|Mekari-jinja}} is a Shinto shrine located in Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka, Japan.
History
The wife of Emperor Chūai, Empress Jingū, came here sometime during the legendary military invasion of Korea in the 3rd century. She had Mekari Shrine built as a way of giving thanks to the Kami. The present main shrine was rebuilt in 1767 by the Ogasawara clan from Harima.
Mekari Shinji Shinto ritual
In the shrine's Shinto ritual called Mekari Shinji,{{cite web |url=http://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/en/event/?mode=detail&id=4000000002614&isEvent=1 |title=Mekari Shinji (Shinto Ritual) |publisher=Fukuoka Prefecture |accessdate=17 September 2011}} wakame seaweed is cut from the ocean at low tide and offered to an altar in a ceremony conducted in the early morning hours of the first day of the New Year according to the old lunar calendar. The ritual is thought to bring about good luck and has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by Fukuoka prefecture.
See also
Gallery
File:Mekari-jinja 02.JPG|View of Kanmon Straits from the shrine
File:Mekari-jinja 04.JPG|A torii standing with Kanmonkyo Bridge in background
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://mekarijinjya.web.officelive.com/ Official website]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|ja}}
- [http://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/en/event/?mode=detail&id=4000000001167&isSpot=1 Crossroad Fukuoka - Fukuoka Prefecture Tourist Information] {{in lang|en}}
{{Commons category|Mekari-jinja|Mekari Shrine}}
{{Shinto shrine}}
Category:Shinto shrines in Fukuoka Prefecture
Category:Buildings and structures in Kitakyushu
Category:Tourist attractions in Kitakyushu
{{Shinto-stub}}