Sakuragi Shrine

A curious shrine

Atago Shrine is the most historically significant shrine in Noda City, but Sakuragi Shrine is perhaps the most spectacular. Any time of year, you are likely to see cherry blossoms - typical spring varieties, but also autumn and winter blooming ones. The shrine reveres the spirit of the cherry tree, and also the gods who look out for agriculture. The name "sakuragi" refers not only to the cherry tree, but the spirit of rice. A few years ago, researchers discovered a document with a curious illustration of a little flame-like figure. This image now appears on omamori, the amulets that the shrine offers to visitors.