Ujigami-jinja Shrine 宇治上神社

The Sacrifice of a Prince

In the year 310, Emperor Ôjin , 15th Emperor of Japan, breathed his last; after a long, very long life since he would have been born in 210! Shortly before his death, he chose Uji no Wakiiratsuko , his youngest son to succeed him. However, when the time comes, the latter refuses to accede to the throne believing that his older brother, Prince Uji no Ôsasagi , is much more apt to assume the supreme function. He then asks the latter to become emperor in his place. Against all expectations, Ôsasagi also refuses the throne because he does not wish to go against his father's last wishes.

For several months, the throne remained vacant. Taking advantage of this incongruous situation, the third son of the deceased emperor, Ôyamamori, foments a plot against Wakiiratsuko by raising an army. A battle ensues in which Oyamamori is killed. Despite this coup attempt, Wakiiratsuko and Ôsasagi persist in their refusal to take the throne ; each preferring to leave his place to his brother.

The problem of the imperial succession persists until 312; when Wakiiratsuko commits suicide by jumping into the Uji River. The following year, Ôsasagi became the 16th emperor of Japan under the surname of Nintoku. It is in honor of Emperor Ôjin and his two sons that the Ujigami jinja will be founded in the 11th century ; a shrine celebrating these men in Prince Wakiiratsuko 's sense of undying honor and sacrifice.

1,000 years old and still standing!

The honden or main building of the sanctuary houses three altars ; the center one is dedicated to Emperor Ôjin, the left one to Prince Wakiiratsuko and the right one to Emperor Nintoku. All three are somewhat concealed by a wooden trellis that runs the length of the building.

To better understand the sanctuary, we invite you to combine your visit with that of the nearby Uji jinja . Originally, the two shrines formed a single complex: the Rikyukamisha . The Ujigami jinja was then the upper shrine and the Uji jinja, the lower shrine. The separation into two separate shrines did not occur until the beginning of the Meiji era (1868-1912) .

Under the protection of the rabbit

In ancient times, Uji City had several natural water springs called the "Seven Famous Springs of Uji" . All have dried up over the centuries except one ; the one found in the compound of the Ujigami jinja. The Kiriharasui well is located just at the entrance to the shrine. There are only a few steps down to reach the small pool. Its fresh and pure water is still used in purification rituals.

Finally, you will notice that an animal plays a very special role in the Ujigami jinja. Indeed, here, the omikuji (predictions written on small strips of paper) are placed inside adorable little ceramic rabbits.