otoko sei jinja

Otokonari Shrine is enshrined in Yamato-cho, Kamimashiki-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture, and held the old social rank of Go-sha (village shrine). Its founding date is unknown, but shrine tradition holds that it was established during Emperor Keiko's imperial progress through Kyushu. The enshrined deity is Takeiwatetsunokami, the primary deity of Aso Shrine and the divine opener of the Aso region. The shrine maintained close ties with the Aso Grand Priest family during the medieval period. Though the main hall was destroyed in the Warring States era, it was rebuilt, and during the Edo period it received devotion from the Hosokawa domain lords. Today it is affectionately known to locals as Otokonari-san and continues to attract visitors praying for bountiful harvests and household safety.