Pat's Blog

When my editor asked for another article not in the usual trajectory of mediocrity but in my better breezy style, I happily picked up my pen on the Tamura Jinja (shrine). This is one of the most popular places of worship for people in the greater Takamatsu area, especially at New Year. Shinto shrines, not to be confused with temples (although until the Meji period they’ve often shared locations) (and they’ve borrowed freely on temples’ designs) are most easily identified by the large ‘Tori’ gates at he the entrances, usually stone stairs lined either side with ‘Toro’ stone lanterns all leading to the ‘Honden’ or main hall.

Tamura Jinja


It's important to remember that when visiting, these are considered sacred places and should be treated with if not veneration then respect. You'll see a ‘Chozuya’ or Temizuya area near the main hall and this is for you to rinse your mouth and clean your hands before offering a prayer. A small bell with a red and white tassel dangling down is yanked. One then claps one’s hands three times, closes the eyes then bows forward and offers a personal prayer. Custom requires a small offering of coins to be tossed into the offertory box at the front.


Around this area, there are many small wooden plaques with prayers or wishes. Usually for safe pregnancies, luck with examinations, speedy recoveries, divine interventions, unrequited loves and loves lost, these mustn't be touched as they are still just that; other peoples' prayers. On the lighter side, I saw a dog on that day in front of hundreds of people frantically burying a sausage in the main grounds and probably stolen from one of the nearby vendors. No guesses needed to know his prayer …


The pieces of paper tied onto the branches of trees are from the New Year period also. These are the second and third rate draws from the shrine's fortune readings and are considered best left at the shrine where they were first taken. The first rate luck-for-the-year draws are of course taken home and treasured.



I've always liked Tamura Shrine for its atmosphere of peace and quiet and the photos I've shown here are from the last New Year's celebrations when throngs descend on the place at all hours day and night and a few lucky ones like myself were allowed into the main hall to receive a blessing and a small sake cup with the Year of the Tiger's tiger on it. We were poured a small thimbleful and had to be content. (photos)




There is much to learn about the shrines as intermediaries between the ‘Kami’ gods and we mortals. The Kami Masters in the past were considered as holy men capable of miracles some people say, and accomplished many with the assistance of purification rites on believers. There are believers today who say this was commonplace.
Tamura Jinja in Tamura Cho to the south, is well worth an afternoon stroll and is ten minutes by bus from the Takamatsu Central Bus Terminus right out front of the Central JR Station.