A shrine in the sky
that has watched over Musashi Province since ancient times
The mountain also had many followers among the common folk, who worshiped it as a god that offered bountiful harvests and protection from various disasters. Oguchimagami, a deified a Japanese wolf, is known widely as Oinusama, and today it also attracts many dog-loving worshipers.
The path leading up to the shrine retains its appearance from days gone by, and visitors can have their hearts cleansed by immersing themselves in the bounty of nature.
It came to be known widely as the center of Zao faith in the eastern provinces after a statue of Zao Gongen was enshrined here in 736 to provide protection and stability to the nation.
Many military commanders have been believers since the Kamakura period. As a result, a large number of votive offerings of armor, saddles and swords have been deposited here across the years.
Legend has it that Oguchimagami was enshrined at Musashi-Mitake-jinja Shrine as a god who protects the mountain after a white wolf guided Yamato Takeru to safety when he had lost his way. Since then, the wolf has been known as Oinusama and is worshiped as a divinity who protects farmers and wards off disasters.
During the Edo period, low-ranking priests went around handing out good luck charms with pictures of Oinusama, thus spreading the Mitake faith throughout the Kanto area.
*In 1874, the name was changed from Mitake Zao Gongen to Mitake-jinja Shrine. In 1952, it was renamed Musashi-Mitake-jinja Shrine, the name it bears today.
