Kashii-gu Shrine

Kashii-gu is a shrine in Kashii, Higashi Ward, Fukuoka, one of the chokusai-sha to which the Emperor sends an envoy. Its main deities are Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu, joined by Emperor Ojin and the Sumiyoshi deities. It is a few minutes' walk from Kashiijingu Station, and a long avenue of camphor trees along the approach is known as the Chokushi-michi, the envoys' road.

Its origins go back to the old chronicles. Chuai is said to have died at the Kashii palace while campaigning in Kyushu, and shrine tradition says a mausoleum-shrine was founded in 724 on the empress's oracle. It was first treated as a "byo", a mausoleum, and a poem by an official of Dazaifu from 728 survives in the Manyoshu. The Kuroda lords of Fukuoka later revered it.

The main hall, rebuilt in 1801 by Kuroda Narikiyo, has a hip-and-gable cypress-bark roof and a distinctive interior called Kashii-zukuri; it is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The haiden carries an imperial plaque, and the Chokushi-kan, the envoys' lodging, stands outside the middle gate.

In front stands the Ayasugi, a sacred cedar said to have been planted by Empress Jingu. The Furumiya to the northeast marks the traditional site of Chuai's temporary palace. The Furo-sui spring, which Takeuchi no Sukune is said to have drunk to live long, was chosen as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters in 1985; it lies on the slope north of the main hall. The treasure hall shows ancient roof tiles, documents and votive plaques.

In spring and autumn festivals the Kashii-gu Shishi-gaku dance, a prefectural intangible folk heritage, is offered; autumn includes yabusame, and a once-in-ten-years imperial festival is held on 9 October. The shrine is open 6:00-18:00 and entry is free. Allow about one to one and a half hours. Hakozaki-gu, Shofuku-ji and Kushida Shrine are other old Fukuoka sites to combine.