imi betsumiya sha

Imi Betsugu Shrine is a former prefectural-rank shrine located in Imi, Kunisaki City, Oita Prefecture. The enshrined deities are the three Hachiman deities: Emperor Ojin, Himegami, and Empress Jingu. According to shrine tradition, it was founded during the Tenpyo era (729-749) when a divided spirit of Usa Hachimangu was enshrined here. As Imi was historically a thriving port town at a key point of maritime traffic, the shrine received devoted worship from those praying for safe voyages and abundant catches. During the medieval period it also drew reverence from the warrior class, and throughout the Edo period the shrine underwent repeated restorations as the tutelary shrine of the region.