The White Snake Shrine of Iwakuni (岩國白蛇神社) & Imazu Tenmangū (今津天満宮)

The White Snake Shrine of Iwakuni (岩國白蛇神社)

Omikuji of the White Snake Shrine of Iwakuni

The White Snake Shrine of Iwakuni (Iwakuni Shirohebi Shrine) (岩國白蛇神社) is a Shinto shrine located in the Imazumachi District of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture.  Founded on December 16, 2012, the shrine enshrines the kami of Itsukushima Shrine, located in Miyajima, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.

The story of the White Snake Shrine can trace back to the rice storehouse of the Kikkawa clan, header of the Iwakuni Domain, that once stood along the banks of the Imazu River, where white snakes were often spotted.  These snakes were believed to act as guardian deities, protecting the storehouse from rats.  Over time, white snakes became associated with Benzaiten inspiring the construction of small shrines dedicated to them across Iwakuni.

In 1990, some of these shrines were relocated to the current site of the White Snake Shrine, forming the foundation of what exists today.

Imazu Tenmangu (今津天満宮)

Imazu Tenmangu (今津天満宮)

In front of the White Snake Shrine is another Shinto shrine, Imazu Tenmangu (今津天満宮), which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, revered as the kami of learning and scholarship.

In 901, Michizane, who held the position of Udaijin (Minister of the Right), was appointed as Dazai Gon-no-Sochi (Vice-Governor of Dazaifu).  While traveling westward along the Seto Inland Sea, he passed through Aki Province and entered Suo Province.  The first location in Suo Province that caught his attention was Marifu no Ura, now known as Imazu.  Michizane briefly disembarked there to rest.

Legend has it that he climbed a hill using an oar as a walking stick, which is why Imazu Tenmangu is also known as Kaitsuki Tenmangu (櫂つき天満宮), with kai (櫂) meaning oar.

During the era when shrines were being built in locations associated with Michizane across Japan, including Dazaifu Tenmangu, local volunteers built a small shrine at this site.  During the Edo period, the shrine building was rebuilt under the governance of the Iwakuni Domain by the Kikkawa clan.  The current shrine building was reconstructed in 2011.