Beliefs

The daily life of protecting the seas was supported
by the power of the gods.

The Oyamazumi Shrine, located on Omishima Island known locally as the “Island of the Spirits”, has a long and ancient history. The Shinto spirit enshrined there was seen as watching over all of Japan, as as the leading spirit for the then province of Iyo. The Murakami Kaizoku venerated the spirit as the protector of martial exploits and maritime safety. The commanders of the Murakami Kaizoku collected their hopes here to be dedicated as prayers for luck in battle.

Must see attractions

Front shrine at the Bekku Oyamazumi Shrine

This is an example of traditional Japanese shrine architecture rebuilt
by the Murakami Kaizoku at the Oyamazumi Shrine’s auxiliary shrine.
Only the front shrine has survived fires.

Cultural assets at the Oyamazumi Shrine

The patron gods of the pirates prayed for fortune and safety on the seas.
The giant camphor tree here is particularly famous.
The Treasure Museum features exhibits of weapons and armor.

Ohama Hachiman Shrine

This shrine appears in the historical record as the local shrine for a castle town.
There is an inscription saying it was constructed in 1524.

Korinji Temple documents

These ancient documents describe the dedication of lanterns by Takeyoshi Murakami, renowned as Japan’s greatest pirate general.

Shiratakiyama
(“Gohyakurakan,” or statues of 500 respected Buddhist priests)

It is said that Yoshimitsu Murakami of the Innoshima Murakamis built a temple for Kanzeon Bosatsu (Quan Yin) at the top of the mountain, which also served as a monitoring point for the sea lanes.

Jizo-bana (guardian of noses),
Mikasaki Fort site

Here there is a stone Buddhist statue on the cape of Innoshima Island engraved with a legend of a pirate shogun and his daughter who passed by on a ship.

“Namiwake Kannon” thousand armed goddess statue at Komyoji Temple

This statue, called the Namiwake Kannon, tasked with preventing shipwrecks, embodies the faith of the people living with the sea.

Beliefs