八幡宮発祥の地　熊本市北区植木「菱形八幡宮」The Birthplace of Hachiman Shrines: “Hishigata Hachiman Shrine”

26年６月2６日撮影 熊本市植木町にある「菱形八幡宮」は、八幡神が最初に出現したのは、この地にあった「菱形の池」とされ、現在全国に4千ほどある八幡宮の発祥の地です。 また欽明天皇（509~571年）や神功皇后とゆかりのある神社です。 神社の鳥居の後ろには、この神社のシンボルともいえる見上げんばかりの夫婦杉の大木が2組。 社殿前の杉は鳥居後ろの物より大きく、樹齢は720年ほど。 社殿の背後には切り立った岩の崖があり、ぽっかりと穴をあけた洞窟から、湧水が流れ出ています。 現在、他の場所にある「菱形の池」は、元々この洞窟内の湧水です。 2016年に起きた「熊本地震」によって社殿背後の崖が崩れ、社殿や鳥居に甚大な被害を受けました。 現在、社殿も鳥居も再建されています。 この神社の近辺には、円台寺の寺跡や摩崖仏などの史跡が多数点在し、 この地の歴史の古さを知ることができます Hishigata Hachiman Shrine, located in Ueki-machi, Kumamoto City, is considered the birthplace of the approximately 4,000 Hachiman shrines found throughout Japan today, as it is believed that the Hachiman deity first appeared at “Hishigata Pond,” which once stood on this site. It is also a shrine associated with Emperor Kinmei (509–571) and Empress Jingū. Behind the shrine’s torii gate stand two pairs of massive “married couple” cedar trees—so towering they seem to reach for the sky—which serve as the shrine’s symbol. The cedar trees in front of the main hall are larger than those behind the torii and are estimated to be about 720 years old. Behind the main hall lies a sheer rocky cliff, and spring water flows out from a cave with a gaping opening. The “Diamond-Shaped Pond,” now located elsewhere, originally drew its water from this spring within the cave. The “Kumamoto Earthquake” that struck in 2016 caused the cliff behind the main hall to collapse, resulting in extensive damage to both the main hall and the torii gate. Both the main hall and the torii gate have since been rebuilt. Numerous historical sites, such as the ruins of Endai-ji Temple and rock-carved Buddha statues, are scattered throughout the area surrounding this shrine, offering a glimpse into the region’s ancient history. #菱形八幡宮　#植木　#円台寺