The History of Wazuka Town : Hakusan Shrine

By Misato T.

d:matcha’s store and tea fields are located around the Hakusan Shrine. In a sense, d:matcha conducts its business right under the protection of this shrine. Hakusan Shrine is not only the guardian deity of the Yubune area, but it can also be considered d:matcha’s own guardian deity. Today, I’d like to take a look at the history of this Hakusan Shrine.

Yubune – Hakusan Shrine

Hakusan worship is a form of mountain worship centered around Mount Hakusan, which spans across Ishikawa, Fukui, and Gifu prefectures. Mount Hakusan is considered one of Japan’s Three Famous Mountains, alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama. Since ancient times, it has been revered as a symbol of nature’s blessings.

This belief developed under the influence of Shugendō (a syncretic religion involving mountain asceticism) and the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. It is believed to offer a wide range of benefits rooted in everyday life, including bountiful harvests, good catches at sea, and matchmaking.

Here is Mount Hakusan ↓

According to an old text passed down in Yubune titled "The Origins of Hakusan Shrine", it is written that when Emperor Fushimi (1265–1317) visited Kōtaiji Temple, the deity of Mount Hakusan in Kaga appeared to him in a dream and said, “If you enshrine me, I will protect the peace and tranquility of this entire land, as well as ensure abundant harvests.” As a result, it is said that Hakusan Shrine was established under Emperor Fushimi’s command.

The stone pagoda (hōkyōintō) at Hakusan Shrine was built in 1287, so it is presumed that the shrine building was constructed around that time as well.

The origin story of Hakusan Shrine also records that Taichō, the founder of Hakusan worship (682–?), stopped by Yubune while training at Kōtaiji Temple. This suggests a possible connection between Yubune's Hakusan Shrine and Kōtaiji Temple. (Incidentally, Kōtaiji is also the setting of the famous legend of the “Sky Bowl Peak”: while Taichō was training on Mount Jūbō, he ran out of food, and when he threw his alms bowl into the sky, offerings from the village at the foot of the mountain miraculously filled it and returned.)

In addition, the shrine’s origin story tells of a dragon legend. It is said that a nine-headed dragon (kuzuryū) lived in Yubune's Tawarai Pond (though the exact modern location is unknown). The dragon rarely revealed itself, but at times would take on a towering, massive, and winding form. Could this be referring to the deep fog that occasionally appears in Yubune? It’s a beautiful and mysterious local legend.

Right next to Hakusan Shrine, there used to be Kumano Shrine, which served as a subordinate shrine (massha) of Hakusan Shrine until the Taishō era (1912–1926).

The hōkyōintō (stone pagoda) of Kumano Shrine also dates back to 1287, the same period as Hakusan Shrine, indicating they were built around the same time.

Although the shrine no longer exists today, the site where it once stood still remains.

Hōkyōintō of the former Kumano Shrine ↓ (It’s right next to d:matcha’s hotel)

Both Hakusan worship and Kumano worship are forms of mountain spirituality deeply connected to Shugendō (a syncretic religion of mountain asceticism), and they also share a strong affinity with Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Including Kōtaiji Temple, one can sense the strong influence and shared characteristics of the religious faith centered around Mount Jūbō in this region.

In summary, Yubune’s Hakusan Shrine is a sacred site with a history spanning at least 750 years. It has long been revered by the local people as the guardian deity (ujigami) of the area. Its origins lie in mountain worship, and it is believed to have been founded through deep connections with Kōtaiji Temple and Shugendō.

Did the shugenja (mountain ascetic practitioners) also climb these long stone steps, I wonder?

At d:matcha, we display ema (votive plaques) from our Adopt a Tea Tree customers at this Hakusan Shrine.