History
According to records the shrine was established in the first year of Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇 Jimmu-tennō) in approximately 600BC. The ancient Fudoki (風土記 Fudoki) of Hitachi province claims that in the time before heaven and earth, the great celestial god Kashima (香島の天の大神 Kashima-no-ten-no-Ōkami) descended from the heavens and throughout the reigns of Emperor Sujin (崇神天皇 Sujin-tennō), Emperor Yamato Takeru (日本武尊 Yamato Takeru-no-mikoto) and Emperor Tenji (天智天皇 Tenji-tennō) religious festivals and construction was carried out in the area of Kashima shrine in dedication and respect to the celestial god.
During the Heian period (平安時代 Heian-jidai) the Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮 Ise Jingū), Kashima Shrine (鹿島神宮 Kashima-Jingū) and Katori Shrine (香取神宮 Katori Jingū) were given imperial Shinto status under the ancient Engishiki doctrine (延喜式神名帳 Engi-Shiki Jinmyouchou). Since ancient times both Kashima shrine and Katori Shrine (香取神宮 Katori Jingū) have been closely connected and served as important forward positions for the Yamato dynasty Imperial Court (大和朝廷 Yamato Chōtei) during their opposition of the Ezo and Emishi (蝦夷 Emishi, Ezo or Ebisu) peoples of northern Japan.
The treasure house of the shrine is said to hold the neck and its Japanese oke bucket container of Akurōu (悪路王 Akurōu) or Aterui (アテルイ Aterui), which were presented for enshrinement by Fujiwara Mitsuru (藤原満 Fujiwara Mitsuru) of Mutsu province (陸奥国 Mutsu-no-kuni) in 1664, the fourth year of the Kanbun era (寛文 Kanbun).
Read more about this topic: Kashima Shrine
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