Katori Jingu

Katori Jingu

From Land Of The Rising Son by xybersensei

April 17, 2026 · 9 min · Season 8 · Episode 374

About this episode

The episode explores the historical and cultural significance of Katori Jingu, one of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, and its upcoming rare festival.

Having lived for over 40 years near this extraordinary shrine, one cannot help but feel the pull of the tutelary deities and the magnitude of the vibrations that surround this ancient pillar of Japanese society . Katori Jingu― 香取神宮 ―in Chiba Prefecture is one of Japan's oldest and most important Shinto shrines. It serves as the head shrine (sōhonsha) for approximately 400 Katori shrines across the country. The main deity is Futsunushi no Ōkami ( 経津主大神 ), a powerful warrior god associated with martial arts, swords, and the pacification of the nation. Together with Takemikazuchi no Ōkami ( 建御雷大神 ) of Kashima Jingu, he was dispatched by Amaterasu to subdue and civilize the eastern lands of Japan in ancient mythology. Katori Jingu celebrates its grand Shikinen Taishai (式年大祭) and Shikinen Shinkosai (式年神幸祭)―a festival held only once every 12 years, in the Year of the Horse. 2026 is such a year―a Fire Horse year in the zodiac―making this a rare, once-in-a-lifetime event for most visitors. The festival traces its origins back over 800 years to the Kamakura period. It reenacts Futsunushi no Ōkami's legendary pacification of the eastern provinces and his sacred journey by boat to settle in…

People in this episode

Host: xybersensei

Topics covered

  • Shinto shrines
  • Japanese culture
  • martial arts
  • historical festivals
  • religious significance

Keywords

  • Katori Jingu
  • Shinto
  • Futsunushi no Ōkami
  • Shikinen Taishai
  • Japanese mythology
  • Kamakura period
  • cultural festivals

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Katori Jingu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan

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