Hijiyama Shrine
Five Gods are worshipped at this shrine;
- Ookuni-nushi; Happy marriage, Happy family, Business success
- Sukunahiko; Good health
- Tatehaya-susano-o; Protection from evil, Protection for agriculture
- Ichiki-shima-hime; Safety in driving, sailing, Protection for fishing
- Kurumazaki Dai-myou-jin; Education, Intelligence
More than 350 years ago there already existed a shrine in the valley south of Hijiyama hill. This shrine was moved to its present site in 1646; i.e. to the west side of the hill. A God was recognised as guardian of that particular locality. In 1868, after the separation of Buddhism and Shinto, the name of the shrine was changed to Hijiyama Jinja (=Shrine), and following that, the front shrine was reconstructed in 1871. In 1945 all the buildings and surrounding country side were destroyed by the atomic bomb but only 9 years later as a result of strong public pressure, the shrine was completely rebuilt.
Ookuni-nushi, one of the Gods of this shrine, is especially known for the happy marriage. In Hiroshima, many of the couples who wished to have their wedding ceremony at a traditional shrine come to here, not only Japanese but also international couples for the blessing of Ookuni-nushi.
