The Legend of Shirataki-hime: Weaving Skills from Kyoto
The most famous story associated with Shirataki Shrine is the Legend of Shirataki-hime. According to local tradition, approximately 1,200 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Kanmu, a man from Yamada District in the ancient province of Kozuke traveled to Kyoto to serve at the imperial court.
There, he met Shirataki-hime, a beautiful court lady serving at the imperial palace. Although their social positions were very different, the man fell deeply in love with her.
During a traditional waka poetry competition held before the emperor, he is said to have impressed the court with his skillful poem. Because of his talent, he was eventually permitted to return to his homeland with Shirataki-hime.
From Kyoto to the Mountains of Kiryu
After arriving in Kiryu, Shirataki-hime is said to have introduced local villagers to the techniques of silkworm cultivation and weaving that she had learned in Kyoto. These skills gradually spread throughout the region and eventually became part of the textile tradition now known as Kiryu-ori.
One story says that when Shirataki-hime saw the mountains surrounding the area, she remarked that they resembled the mountains she had seen in Kyoto. The area subsequently became known as Nitayama, and Kiryu textiles were called Nitayama-ori until the early Edo period.
After her death, Shirataki-hime was honored as a deity of weaving in recognition of her contribution to the local textile industry. This tradition is regarded as the origin of Shirataki Shrine.
Origins of the Shrine and Its Principal Deities
According to the shrine’s tradition, its origins date to the Eikyu era (1113–1118). Shirataki-hime is said to have established a place of worship for Ame-no-Yachichihime-no-Mikoto, a deity associated with weaving.
Shirataki-hime herself was later enshrined alongside this deity as an ancestral figure of Kiryu’s textile tradition. The shrine’s two principal deities today are therefore Ame-no-Yachichihime-no-Mikoto and Shirataki-hime-no-Mikoto.
The shrine was originally known as Hata-no-Kami Tenjin, meaning a shrine dedicated to a deity of weaving. Following the Meiji Restoration, it was renamed Shirataki Shrine after Shirataki-hime. Several nearby shrines were also combined with it during the Meiji period, further strengthening its role as a center of local worship.
A Quiet Shrine Surrounded by Nature
Shirataki Shrine is located on the left bank of the Yamada River, which flows from the mountains of Mt. Narukami. Surrounded by trees and the sound of flowing water, the shrine has a peaceful and almost mystical atmosphere.
Visitors climb a flight of stone steps before reaching the shrine buildings. The quiet setting provides a striking contrast to the busy industrial history of Kiryu and offers a chance to experience the natural environment in which the city’s textile culture developed.
Korin-seki: The Sacred Stone Said to Echo with the Sound of Weaving
On the left side of the approach stands a large rock known as Korin-seki, or the “Stone of Divine Descent.”
According to legend, the stone descended from heaven on the day of Tanabata, the traditional Japanese star festival. In the past, visitors could supposedly place their ears against a hole in the rock and hear a mysterious “karan-koron” sound resembling the rhythmic noise of a loom.
Local tradition says that the sound disappeared after someone climbed onto the sacred stone while wearing setta, traditional Japanese sandals. Whether viewed as folklore or as a symbol of the region’s textile heritage, the story beautifully connects the sacred landscape with Kiryu’s history of weaving.
The Shirataki Keyaki Tree: A Natural Monument
Behind the main shrine stands a magnificent Japanese zelkova tree believed to be more than 300 years old. Known as the Shirataki Shrine Keyaki, the sacred tree has a trunk circumference of approximately 6 meters and reaches about 35 meters in height.
It is one of the largest zelkova trees in Kiryu City and has been designated as a Natural Monument of Kiryu City.
The tree changes its appearance throughout the year. Fresh green leaves brighten the shrine grounds in spring, while dense foliage provides deep shade in summer. In autumn, the changing leaves create a colorful landscape, and in winter, the tree’s impressive branches stand out against the sky.
Having watched over the shrine for centuries, the ancient keyaki is one of the most distinctive symbols of Shirataki Shrine.
The Kagura Hall and Dragon-Adorned Ablution Pavilion
The shrine grounds contain several traditional structures, including a kagura hall for sacred performances, a purification hall, the worship hall, and the main sanctuary.
The ceiling of the temizuya, or traditional water pavilion used for ritual purification, features a striking painting of a dragon. Details such as this reflect the devotion of the local community and add to the cultural atmosphere of the shrine.
Shirataki Shrine Daidai Kagura: A Traditional Performing Art
Shirataki Shrine Daidai Kagura is a traditional sacred dance and music performance that has been designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Kiryu City.
The performance preserves many masks dating from the Edo period. Dancers perform to music featuring drums, long barrel drums, and traditional flutes, creating a performance that is both solemn and energetic.
A Tradition Preserved by the Local Community
After World War II, the continuation of the kagura tradition was once in doubt. However, young volunteers from the local community learned the dances and music from older residents and worked to revive the tradition.
Today, the performance is carefully preserved by a local preservation society. It is presented during the shrine’s annual festival in August and the Nishinomiya Festival, also known as Ebisu-ko, in November.
These performances are more than religious ceremonies. They are also an important opportunity for local residents to maintain connections with their history and pass traditional performing arts on to future generations.
Experience the Spirit of Kiryu, the “City of Weaving”
Shirataki Shrine is more than a historic religious site. It represents the craftsmanship, creativity, and community spirit that have shaped Kiryu for centuries.
Inside the shrine grounds, visitors can see votive plaques and offerings connected with the people who worked in textile workshops and weaving. These objects preserve the hopes, prayers, and pride of the generations who supported Kiryu’s textile industry.
As you walk through the grounds and listen to the gentle flow of the Yamada River, it is easy to imagine the traditional sounds of looms that once filled this region. The legendary sound said to have come from Korin-seki seems particularly evocative in such a peaceful setting.
Visit Shirataki Shrine as Part of a Kiryu Cultural Journey
For travelers interested in the history of Japanese textiles, Shirataki Shrine is an important place to visit in Kiryu. The city is home to historic streets, traditional textile buildings, and distinctive sawtooth-roof factories that reveal the development of its weaving industry.
Learning about the legend of Shirataki-hime provides another perspective on Kiryu’s industrial and cultural history. The story connects the city’s textile heritage with the traditional skills of silk production and weaving that are said to have been brought from Kyoto.
A visit to this quiet mountain shrine offers a different experience from exploring Kiryu’s urban textile districts. Here, nature, history, traditional beliefs, and craftsmanship come together in a peaceful setting.
A Shrine Where History and Legend Live On
The story of a princess who is said to have brought weaving knowledge from Kyoto has become an enduring part of Kiryu’s cultural identity. Shirataki Shrine preserves this story while also commemorating the generations of people who developed the city’s textile industry.
The legend of Korin-seki, the more-than-300-year-old sacred keyaki tree, and the traditional Daidai Kagura all contribute to the unique atmosphere of the shrine.
When visiting Kiryu, take time to explore Shirataki Shrine and discover one of the places where the city’s long relationship with silk and weaving is said to have begun. A quiet walk beside the Yamada River can offer a memorable glimpse into the cultural roots of Kiryu, the historic “City of Weaving.”