S P O T ／ SPOT-262

Tsubaki-Nakato Shrine

都波岐奈加等神社つばきなかとじんじゃ

An ancient shrine in Ichinomiya-cho, Suzuka City, with the rare structure of two originally separate shrines — Tsubaki Shrine, which claims to be the ichinomiya (first shrine) of Ise Province, and the Engishiki-listed Nakato Shrine — enshrined together as joint deities within a single hall. Tradition holds it was founded in the 23rd year of Emperor Yuryaku, when the Ise provincial governor built the two shrines on imperial command; they were merged into the present form in the Meiji era. The deities are Sarutahiko-no-Okami (Tsubaki) and Amenokununo-no-mikoto with Nakatsutsuo-no-mikoto (Nakato). In the Tencho era, Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is said to have made a retreat and dedicated two lion heads, which are handed down as the object of worship. The title of Ise first shrine is contested with Tsubaki Okami Yashiro — the "ichinomiya dispute" — making the coexistence of two ichinomiya-class cults in one shrine academically intriguing. The Nakado-ryu lion dance, a Suzuka City Intangible Cultural Property, is dedicated at the annual festival.