Hakone Shrine: Divine God of Luck

Holy origin of nine-headed dragon god of Lake Ashi

Takako Sakamoto Oct 07, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Imposing statue of guardian dog with fiery-red autumn leaves in the background</p>

<p>'Kekera Tree House': Kekera are tree fossils that sank into the Lake Ashi by landslides in primeval times</p>

<p>As I arrived in the early morning, the fallen leaves on the shrine grounds were not yet cleaned up. To see the fallen leaves in a natural state like this is one of the pleasures of appreciating autumn leaves</p>

<p>When you walk through this path lined with ancient cedar trees on both sides and climb the long stone stairs of the main path, you'll see the fifth torii gate</p>

<p>A guardian dog in front of the reception building for pilgrims is covered all over with deep moss so that you can't tell how he really looks!</p>

<p>A dragon spewing 'Water of Dragon God' at a water purification font. This water is said to have the holy power to purify everything</p>

<p>The reception building for pilgrims, which is also the entrance to the main prayer hall. Divine atmosphere permeates the air</p>

<p>Soga Shrine stands on the main pathway to Hakone Shrine</p>

I visited Hakone in late November in 2012 to take photos of Mt. Fuji. On the previous day I took photos in the Izu area, moved to Hakone, and stayed at a hotel for the night beside Lake Ashi. The next day I climbed to the mountain pass on the Tsubaki Line, but unfortunately, it was overcast and the top of Mt. Fuji was totally covered with deep clouds. Therefore, I had no choice but to change my plan (I often have to change my travel plans since my sole purpose is to take scenery photos). Although the visit to Hakone Shrine wasn't my original plan, I was glad that I visited here. This shrine was long respected and favored by samurai families. It is also called 'Kuzuryu (Nine-headed Dragon) Shrine'; the name derived from the legend that the deity of this shrine calmed down the raging dragon god of Lake Ashi.

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Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...