Yaegaki Shrine
Divination at the Mirror Pond, shrine of Susanoo and Princess Inata.
History and Divine Virtue
Standing at Sakusa in Matsue, Yaegaki Shrine enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, slayer of the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi, and Inatahime no Mikoto, who became his wife. Tradition tells that Susanoo built an eightfold fence, yaegaki, here to hide Princess Inata from the serpent, and that after his victory the two made their palace at this spot — for which reason it is spoken of as one of Japan's first shrines of en-musubi, the binding of ties. The poem attributed to Susanoo, 'Yakumo tatsu / Izumo yaegaki / tsumagomi ni / yaegaki tsukuru / sono yaegaki o', is called Japan's oldest waka and gives the shrine its name. Deep in the Sakusame Forest behind the shrine lies the Mirror Pond, where Princess Inata is said to have gazed at her reflection; it is widely known for the en-uranai divination, in which a coin is placed on a slip of paper and floated on the water, the speed and distance of its sinking read as a sign of one's ties. The treasure house holds wall paintings from the main sanctuary, attributed to the Heian period and designated Important Cultural Properties.
Visiting Notes
- For the Mirror Pond divination, receive a slip at the shrine office, place a coin on it, and float it — watch how long it takes to sink and how far it drifts.
- The wall paintings in the treasure house depict six deities including Princess Inata and rank among the oldest surviving shrine murals.
- The Couple's Camellia in the grounds, two trunks joined into one, is cherished as a symbol of union.
- Close to Kamosu Shrine and Kumano Taisha; a pilgrimage of the Ou Six Shrines is recommended.
A shrine whose origin is the story of a divine couple — the very wellspring of en-musubi. Musuhi Techo holds that time spent before the Mirror Pond is a chance to look quietly at the flow of one's own ties.
Deities and Location
- Enshrined Deities
- Susanoo no Mikoto, Inatahime no Mikoto
- Location
- 島根県松江市佐草町 (Shimane)
- Access
- From JR Matsue Station, take a bus to Yaegaki Jinja; the shrine is right by the stop.
Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.
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