Nigitsu Shrine

Nigitsu Shrine, known locally as Nigitsu-san, was originally founded as a hall for the spiritual tablets of the Asano clan, including Asano Nagamasa, by Hiroshima domain lord Asano Tsunanaga in 1706. Significant reconstructions occurred in 1810 and 1835, with the latter led by Asano Naritaka, who originally named the shrine Futaba-no-Miya. It was officially christened Nigitsu Shrine in 1873.

The shrine has experienced profound historical events, such as the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, which devastated the main building and the Karamon gate, among other structures. Despite the destruction, a few stone lanterns, a water basin, and about a dozen pine trees survived. The shrine subsequently provided refuge for bombing victims, many of whom passed away on its grounds. These experiences were depicted in Harumi Setouchi’s novel “Summer Flowers,” based on the author’s own experiences.

The reconstruction of Nigitsu Shrine after World War II included a temporary shrine, followed by restoration of the main shrine, worship hall, and Mizugaki enclosure in 1984, reflecting their pre-war condition. The Karamon gate was reconstructed in 2000, noted for its size, and a wooden torii gate was rebuilt in 2005.

The shrine’s grounds include the subsidiary Inari Shrine, dedicated to the deity Uganomitama-no-Mikoto, and the Abe Shrine, which honors the Fukuyama Domain’s Abe family lords. Nigitsu Shrine not only serves as a spiritual center but also as a cultural repository, celebrating figures like Tanaka Michiko, who had familial ties to the neighborhood.

Visitors to Nigitsu Shrine can enjoy the nearby Nigitsu Park, which encompasses the precinct of Tsuruhane Shrine, and marvel at a large camphor tree that forms a natural tunnel over the prefectural road. These sites connect the shrine’s storied past with its natural beauty.

Nigitsu Shrine embodies Hiroshima’s cultural and historical narrative, from its foundation honoring the domain’s founding lords to its rebirth from the ashes of war, serving as a symbol of the community’s enduring spirit and an invitation to reflect and find solace.