Amatsu Shrine (Bizen City, Okayama)

This shrine is said to be built before the year 1411. The deity worshiped is Sukuna Hikona-no-Mikoto, but as it was also located within the domain owned by the Sugawara Clan, Sugawara no Michizane was also worshiped. Bizen-ware is also referred to as “Imbe-Yaki” (Imbe-Ware), and originated in Imbe, in the city of Bizen. The shrine is known for its copious amounts of Bizen-ware, as it is located in Imbe, and many practitioners are related to Bizen-Ware craftsmen.

A guardian dog statue made of Bizen-ware welcomes visitors. The gate was made in the 1700’s, with Bizen-ware tiles and reliefs of Guardian dogs on murals. Even the stone roads, and plates in the white walls are made of Bizen-ware among many others. Visitors can even purchase a Bizen-ware Ema.

When it was made, the main pavilion was in front of Uraimbe Pavilion. The shrine was moved to its current location in 1579, following a plague in the Imbe. Like a miracle, the plague was gone after the shrine moved. The main deity, Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto is told to be the god of medicine and curing diseases, as it “created methods to cure diseases and pray away misfortune”. The other deity, Sugawara no Michizane is also the god of education, and is told to pray for good grades.