the divine battle legend of
Senjougahara
戦場ヶ原の神戦伝説
The Origin of Senjogahara
A Legend Told by the Elders
It is said that the name "Senjogahara" originates from a legend of a battle between gods.
Long ago, the god of Mount Nantai in the Shimotsuke province (present-day Tochigi Prefecture) and the god of Mount Akagi in the Kozuke province (present-day Gunma Prefecture) fought over their territories. The name Senjogahara originates from a legend in which the god of Mount Nantai transformed into a giant serpent (Orochi・オロチ), while the god of Mount Akagi transformed into a giant centipede (Mukade・ムカデ), and the two fought a great battle.
Since the bloodshed from the battle stained the entire field red, it also came to be known as “Akanumagahara・赤沼ヶ原” (Red Marsh Plain). The place where the provisions for the battle were stored is said to be “Nukazuka・糠塚”, the only hill in Senjogahara. Then, the peace treaty was concluded at “Shobugahama・菖蒲ヶ浜”, while the god of Mount Nantai sang a song of victory at “Utagahama・歌ヶ浜 ”(Tachiki Kannon). As a commemoration of the victory, “Kozukeshima・上野島”, the only island in Lake Chuzenji, was left behind. These stories have been passed down through generations by local elders.
NUKAZUKA
The only hill in Senjogahara, said to have been used to store provisions for the Divine Battle.
SHOBUGAHAMA
The place where the gods are said to have concluded a peace treaty.
AKANUMAGAHARA
The marshland said to have been stained red by the god's blood shed during the Divine Battle.
The place where the god of Mt. Nantai sang a song of victory.
KOZUKEJIMA
The only island in Lake Chuzenji, said to have been left as a memorial to the victory.
UTAGAHAMA
Legend-Related Sites
historical records
The Divine Battle Legend Based on Existing Records
According to ancient traditions handed down at Futarasan Shrine, the legend has been passed down since Kamakura period which recounting a divine battle between the god of Mount Akagi and the god of Mount Futarasan (Nantai Gongen) in Shimotsuke Province on the Tosando route, over control of Lake Chūzenji. Although only the first volume of the illustrated scroll version of the “Engi・縁起” (origin story) survives at Futarasan Shrine, a copy of it from the Muromachi-period, titled “Nikko San Narabini Tousha Engi”, has been preserved.
Furthermore, a two-volume illustrated scroll in the Yamato-style is preserved at Utsunomiya Shrine in Ōzu City, Ehime Prefecture, and the depiction of the divine battle appears in the lower volume. This shrine is dedicated to the deity of Mt. Futarasan, and it is recorded that the "Origin of Mt. Nikko" was considered a treasured artifact.
Utsunomiya Satsuma-nonokami Toyofusa, the Lord of Utsunomiya Castle in Shimotsuke Province was transferred from Shimotsuke Province to serve as the shugo (provincial governor) of Iyo Province in March of Gentoku 2 (1330), Utsunomiya Uma-nonokami Masatsuna, the 16th Lord of Utsunomiya Castle is mentioned in the *The Origin of Mount Nikko*. Postscript dated on the 11th May of Bunmei 9 (1477) and dedicated on September 9; written by Noh-han.
the story of ono sarumaru-Taifu
This illustration (the one above) is from the lower volume. To protect the territories, the deity of Mt. Futarasan sent the deity of Takio Shrine who is the consort of the Futarasan deity, who transform into a deer with a golden star. She went to Mt. Atsukari, located on the border between Iwate Province (present-day Fukushima Prefecture) and Mutsu Province (present-day Miyagi Prefecture), to seek the aid of Ono Sarumaru-Taifu, a master archer and grandson of Nantai Gongen, who was hunting there.
It is recorded that the deity of Mt. Futarasan transformed into a giant serpent, while the deity of Mt. Akagi transformed into a giant centipede to join the battle. Facing Sarumaru’s mighty bow, the giant centipede was defeated, and the deity of Futarasan fulfilled its long-held purpose by vanquishing its enemy.
Since then, the deity of Futarasan has been believed to grant wishes and fulfill prayers. Worshippers have traveled from afar to visit, ensuring the prosperity of Futarasan Shrine that continues to this day.
