Suzumenomiya Jinja

Suzumenomiya Jinja in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, enshrines Mimorobetsu-no-Oo, a member of the imperial family. The Utsunomiya clan designated this shrine as the southern guardian, representing the Vermilion Bird, in their castle defense alignment, and the castle lords frequently made pilgrimages here. In 1713 (Shotoku 3), Emperor Higashiyama granted a gold-lettered imperial plaque reading Suzumenomiya. Such was its prestige that visiting shoguns and feudal lords dismounted to pay respects. The shrine holds the former rank of gosha and remains a cherished community guardian.