In July 1189, Ayabe Shirodayu Michitoshi, prayed for victory in the Battle of Ōshū. After the battle had ended, he was given land as a reward.[1] He then donated some of the land to have a shrine built on it.[2] Ayabe Shrine was then built in 1205,[3][1] at the foot of what was once Ayabe Castle.[4][5]
The shrine is also known as the oldest meteorological observatory in Japan.[6] On July 15 every year, flags are raised on trees at the shrine. After five days, the location of the flag is used to predict future weather events.[1] A festival is held every year with various Shinto rituals and sumo wrestling to mark the event.[1][7][8]
References
^ abcd綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Miyaki Sanpo, 2013, retrieved 13 March 2023
^綾部八幡神社 [Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Komainu.org, retrieved 13 March 2023
^開運!御朱印巡りの旅(綾部八幡神社・伊勢神社・男女神社) [Good Luck! Traveling around Goshuin (Ayabe Hachiman Shrine, Ise Shrine, Men and Women Shrine)] (in Japanese), Saga TV, 2019, retrieved 13 March 2023
^宮山城 [Miyayama Castle] (in Japanese), hb.pei.jp, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
^＜知っとるね＞みやき町の「綾部城址」 [<Know it> Ayabe Castle Ruins in Miyaki Town] (in Japanese), Saga-s.co.jp, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023
^Hoshino, Raku (2019), 天候と豊凶、神旗で占う 「最古の気象台」綾部八幡神社 [The oldest weather observatory, Ayabe Hachiman Shrine] (in Japanese), Nishi Nippon, retrieved 13 March 2023
^綾部神社の旗上げ神事（みやき町） [Flag-raising ritual at Ayabe Shrine (Miyaki Town)] (in Japanese), Saga Plus, 2016, retrieved 13 March 2023
^綾部神社 旗上げ神事 [Ayabe Shrine flag-raising ritual] (in Japanese), Yukoyuko.net, 2021, retrieved 13 March 2023
