Warei Shrine 和霊神社

Solemn and elegant shrine in the heart of Uwajima

Every time I passed this shrine, like all the other residents, I pressed my hands together and lowered my head. The shrine is affectionately called Wareisama and enshrines the spirit of a retainer of Date Masamune, the famous military commander. The deity looks out for the city's fishing industry. The shrine is noted for its massive stone gate, perhaps the largest in Japan. The shrine is also the focus of the summer festival that sees giant wickerwork demon bulls pay a visit to the shrine before they parade around the town and a boistrous festival that sees acrobatic performances and flaming torches. Some memories of the shrine that I savor are actually from the gymnasium next door. While practicing martial arts there the background music was the drum practice on wadaiko in preparation for the various festival events booming from the shrine courtyard.