Tsurugane Shrine
The Shimadzu family ruled over southern Kyushu for a period of 700 years from 1185 until the founding of the modern Japanese government in 1869. Tsurugane Shrine was established close to Kagoshima Castle in the same year and was moved to its present location next to Sengan-en in 1917.
The heads of each generation of the Shimadzu family are enshrined here along with their family members.
Shinto rites are still performed here today by members of the Shimadzu family to pay respects to their ancestors and pray for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of Kagoshima.
Sacred Treasures
Nationally Designated Important Cultural Properties
Sword (Tachi – Bizen-no-Kuni Ju Unji)
Armour and Helmet (Red Laced Osode with Gyoyo)
Prefecturally Designated Important Cultural Properties
Wooden Figurine of Shimadzu Tadakuni
Wooden Figurine of Shimadzu Tadamasa
Points of Interest
The grounds of Tsurugane Shrine contain symbolic sites relating to the long history of the Shimadzu clan. Make sure to visit these spots after praying at the main shrine to discover more about the fascinating history of one of Japan’s most powerful feudal clans.
Minamoto no Yoritomo Pagoda
The founder of the Shimadzu family line, Tadahisa is said to have been the illegitimate child of the Kamakura period Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199).
During the Edo period (1603 – 1868) the 25th head of the Shimadzu family, Shigehide was upset to see the dilapidated state of Yoritomo’s grave in Kamakura and ordered the grave to be rebuilt.
This pagoda was constructed in front of Tsurugane Shrine on the 800th anniversary of Yoritomo’s death with the support of the citizens of Kamakura City in order to give thanks for the support shown by the Shimadzu family.
Site of Blast Furnace
Japan’s first western style blast furnace was constructed here in 1854 in order to melt down iron ore or ironsand to produce pig iron. The design for the furnace was based on a Dutch textbook by Major General Ulrich Huguenin of the Royal Netherlands Army which was acquired by Shimadzu Nariakira in 1852. Ore and sand from outlying regions of the Satsuma domain was processed in the furnace.
In 1857 a retainer of the Saga Domain visited the site and recorded the furnace as being 6.7 metres high and 3.3 metres wide. The furnace was located on the right-hand side of the present shrine building, and the waterway powering the bellows still remains on the mountain behind.
Memorial Jujube Tree
In 1905 the Japanese victory in the Russo-Japanese war was an inspiration to forces all over Asia and Africa fighting for the liberation of their own countries. The Jujube Tree planted here was grown from a seed taken from the camp site at Liaoning, China where Count Nogi Maresuke and General Anatoly Mikhaylovich Stessel met to discuss the surrender of Port Arthur, ending the Russo-Japanese War.
Sano Cedar
Sano Shrine in Miyazaki is home to a line of cedar trees which are said to have been planted under the orders of the 17th head of the Shimadzu family, Yoshihiro. The cedars were recognized as a Nationally Designated Natural Monument in 1924 and are much loved for the bright blue Oriental Dollarbirds that inhabit them.
In 1993 a cutting of the Sano cedars was planted here at Tsurugane Shrine in order to venerate Yoshihiro.
Shrine Information
9698-2 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City
Heads of the Shimadzu family and their family members
Heads of the Tamazato Shimadzu family and their family members
Five chief retainers
Forty five retainers who committed ritual suicide on the death of their lord
Tsurugane Festival
Vernal Equinox Festival
Rokugatsudo Festival
Autumn Memorial Service
Harvest Festival
Jimmyo-sai (Beauty and Health Festival)
Nationally Designated Important Cultural Properties
Sword (Tachi – Bizen-no-Kuni Ju Unji)
Armour and Helmet (Red Laced Osode with Gyoyo)
Prefecturally Designated Important Cultural Properties
Wooden Figurine of Shimadzu Tadakuni
Wooden Figurine of Shimadzu Tadamasa
About Tsurugane Shrine
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