Tsukubusuma Shrine

The main hall of Tsukubusuma Shrine was rebuilt in Eiroku 10, and then in Keicho 7, Toyotomi Hideyori incorporated buildings from Fushimi Castle and made lavish renovations in the typical architectural style of the Momoyama period. This main hall, designated as a National Treasure, is decorated with exquisite decorations such as gold maki-e and carvings, and the sliding door paintings and ceiling paintings by Mitsunobu Kano are particularly noteworthy. In addition, a "Kawarake-throwing" ceremony is held in the hall of worship, in which small unglazed plates are thrown with wishes. The deity, Asaihime-no-Mikoto, was known as Chikubujima Benzaiten Shrine until the Shinto/Buddhist Separation Order of 1871. The main shrine itself is a complex structure of irimoya style with a full cypress bark roof, karahafu (Chinese gables) in front and behind, and eaves around the perimeter. Inside, the gold-plated coffered ceilings and maki-e lacquer decoration are seen, conveying the opulence of the Momoyama culture to the present. Every year from June 10 to 15, the island comes alive with the Chikubujima Festival.