Mar 29, 2017
鹿島神社・Kashima Shrine by Japan This Via Flickr: Established in 969 to enshrine 建御雷之男神 Takemikazuchi no O-kami, the tutelary 神 kami of 大井村 Ōi Village, this Shintō shrine is a quiet sanctuary located near the Shinagawa History Museum. Takemikazuchi is the heavenly kami sent to wrestle the son Ōkuninushi, the earthly kami who ruled 出雲国 Izumo no Kuni. This means he is closely tied to the rise of the Yamato State and the imperial family's subjugation of the Japanese islands. His mythological wrestling match is said to be the birth of sumō.