Kushida Shrine

Kushida-san / General Information

Kusuda Shrine is considered a “Power Spot” and is the head temple of the guardian deity of Hakata, with a history of over 1,250 years. Locally, it is affectionately called “O-Kusuda-San,” meaning “Mr. Kusuda.” The shrine was once destroyed by a fire caused by a battle during the Civil War period, but Toyotomi Hideyoshi rebuilt it with his own money, hoping to revitalize the city of Hakata. Although it may seem rather small, you’ll find that there is more to see than you might expect, and you will be impressed as you explore the area.More about Shinto Shrine , Click here.

Three Gods and their Powers of Answering Prayers

Three gods are enshrined in this shrine, each in a separate room dedicated to a deity.

Each altar is dedicated to a different god, reflecting the deep reverence the local people of Hakata have for these deities.

Interestingly, each god has a unique power and plays a distinct role in different Hakata festivals, highlighting the locals’ enthusiasm for festivals.

The altar in the center is for Oohatanushino Mikoto, the god believed to dispel evil. This god is associated with the Hakata Setubun Festival held on Setubun Day in February. (Setubun marks the first day of the new seasons in the traditional Japanese calendar.)

The altar on the right is for Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god who wards off calamities. This deity is celebrated during the Hakata Gion Yamagasa Festival, which takes place from July 1st to 15th. This festival is well known nationwide.

The altar on the left is for Amaterasu Oomikami, the goddess who is honored for a bountiful autumn harvest. She is the focus of the Hakata Okunchi Festival, held on October 23rd and 24th. (Okunchi, meaning the 9th day, marks the start of the new autumn in the traditional Japanese calendar, and is when rituals for a good harvest are performed.)

Chinese Zodiac

Look up at the ceiling of the main gate. You will see the zodiac signs positioned in each of the 12 directions and a needle in the center pointing to one direction. This direction is considered the luckiest for the year, as you should face it when eating Eho-maki (Eho Rolled Sushi) on Setsubun Day. It is quite unique to have the sign of the luckiest direction displayed on the ceiling, something that few people notice as they pass through.

Salty Water

Water springs from beneath the main pavilion, but it is salty sea water. It is said that this area was once surrounded by seawater. The water that flows from beneath the sacred place was once considered water of longevity, believed to be beneficial to drink. *However, it cannot be consumed now.

Akachonbeeee Wind God and Thunder God

The figure on the left represents the Thunder God, who is playfully trying to make rain and wind attack Hakata.

In response, the Wind God on the right is performing Akachokobe. This term is from the Hakata dialect and refers to Akanbe—a gesture of pulling down one eyelid and sticking out the tongue, used to show a mocking attitude, similar to blowing a raspberry.

While pairs of Wind God and Thunder God are common in Shinto shrines, this pair is particularly humorous. It reflects the playful and humorous nature of the people of Hakata.

Yamagasa Float

When you think of Hakata festivals, the Yamagasa Festival is likely the first one that comes to mind. The floats are displayed throughout the city from July 1st to 15th, often until late into the night.

Kushida Shrine is the central location for the Float Rushing Time Race during the Yamagasa Festival. It is essential to mention this shrine when discussing the Yamagasa Festival. Shrines play a crucial role in connecting with the local community.

Hakata Walls

To help revitalize Hakata, which was devastated by battles, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built the wall using stones and roof tiles collected from the burned fields.

The Hakata Bei here was relocated from the remains of the house of Torii Muneshiro, one of the three major merchants in Hakata. The use of these stones and tiles, likely due to a shortage of proper building materials, reflects the desire at that time to restore Hakata Town by constructing the walls.

Yamagasa Festival

English Official Web Site: Hakata Gion Yamagasa https://www-hakatayamakasa-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja&_x_tr_pto=nui

The Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival is a Shinto ritual held every July, during which seven Nagare (meaning “districts”) teams compete to carry their own one-ton floats from Kushida Shrine to Suzaki Town in a race against the clock.

The festival runs from July 1 to July 15, lasting about two weeks. It begins with a ritual performed by priests to enshrine the god in each float. During this period, the float carriers practice for the race repeatedly, leading up to the final competition day. While it is primarily a religious ritual, it is also a serious competition for the carriers, who strive to win for the pride of their Nagare.

Nagare refers to the small districts in the Hakata area. The seven Nagare are: Ebisu Nagare, Daikoku Nagare, Doi Nagare, Higashi Nagare, Nakasu Nagare, Nishi Nagare, and Chiyo Nagare. The floats from each Nagare run in this order, and every year, the honor of being the first float to run rotates accordingly.

Yamakasa refers to the floats used in the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival. Participants carry these floats on their shoulders. There are two types of Yamakasa: “Kaki-yama” (movable for the race) and “Kazari-yama” (stationary decorative floats).

Kaki-yama is a running float, about 3 meters high and weighing around one ton, which races for about five kilometers around Hakata town. Seven Kaki-yama floats compete against each other in terms of time and speed. This race is the highlight of the festival and takes place on July 15.

Kazari-yama are stationary floats decorated with various Hakata dolls and other ornaments, themed around historical stories or recent animation dramas. These floats are 10 to 15 meters high and are displayed at more than 10 locations throughout Fukuoka City.

Kushidairi refers to the dedication events held at a special venue called “Seidou” for the Yamakasa Festival on July 12 and 15. A flagpole stands in the center of the round space surrounded by stands for the audience. Each float begins its run with the sound of a large drum, circles the flagpole, and then leaves the shrine.

At 4:59 a.m. on July 15, with the signal of a large drum, the Oiyama floats enter Kushida Shrine one by one and run a 5-kilometer course in the Hakata area to the finish line in Suzaki Town. Two time records are measured: one for the Kushidairi run and another for the outside course run.

After all the Oiyama floats have finished running, a Noh performance called “Shizume Noh” is held on the Noh stage at Kushida Shrine to calm the excited gods.

More about Japanese Festivals , Click here.