Katō Shrine

is a shrine in Kumamoto Castle, ChÃÂ«ÃÂ-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan, in which daimyÃÂ or powerful territorial lord KatÃÂ Kiyomasa (1562Ã¢ÂÂ1611) is enshrined. Alongside ÃÂki Kaneyoshi and Kin Kan, who made junshi, are enshrined.

History

In 1868, Shinto style ceremony started at JÃÂchibyÃÂ which was the grave of KatÃÂ Kiyomasa in HonmyÃÂji, proposed by Nagaoka Moriyoshi.
In 1871, Nishikiyama Shrine was built within Kumamoto Castle at the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism. Enshrined are KatÃÂ Kiyomasa, ÃÂki Kaneyoshi and Kin.
In 1874, the Nishikiyama Shrine was moved to KyÃÂmachi because the Kumamoto Castle belonged to the Japanese Army in 1873.
In 1875, the rank of the shrine was made the prefectural shrine. This system discontinued in 1946.
In 1877, the Nishikiyama Shrine was burned in the battle of Satsuma Rebellion. Shintai was moved to Kengun Shrine.
In 1884, reconstruction was started.
In 1886, the shrine was reconstructed.
In 1909, the name of Nishikiyama Shrine was changed to KatÃÂ Shrine.
In 1911, a KatÃÂ Shrine was built in Hawaii.
Closed later.
In 1914, a KatÃÂ Shrine was built in Seoul.
Closed after the war.
KatÃÂ Kiyomasa is enshrined in about 90 shrines; about a half in Kumamoto Prefecture.
In 1952, KatÃÂ Shrine was designated as Religious corporation.
In 1962, KatÃÂ Shrine was moved to the present site in Kumamoto Castle.
In 1981, the SÃÂ«keikai, an association of KatÃÂ Shrine goers, was started.

ÃÂki Kaneyoshi (1552Ã¢ÂÂ1611) was a karÃÂ of Sassa Narimasa. After the fall of Sassa, he became a karÃÂ of KatÃÂ Kiyomasa. During the Japanese invasion of Korea, his services, or merits were great. At the Sekigahara battle, he made the wife of KatÃÂ Kiyomasa escape from the Osaka house. Ã£ÂÂ
Kin Kan was a Korean who was captured in the Japanese invasion of Korea. His real name was Ã¨ÂÂ¯Ã§ÂÂ«Ã©ÂÂ, and Kin Kan was the name of his position. He became a fan of KatÃÂ Kiyomasa and followed his master and became a page.

KatÃÂ Shrine is located best to view the three high buildings of Kumamoto Castle.

Taiko bridge, placed within the campus of the shrine, was brought from Korea as a memorial, and served as the model of stone bridges.
A large washbasin belonged to Ooki Kaneyoshi who is enshrined.
A flag-holding stone was brought from Nagoya, Saga Prefecture, in connection with the invasion of Korea.

Enshrined are Sarutahiko-kami, Sugawara Michizane, Ookuninushi-kami and Ebisu-kami.

Pamphlet of KatÃÂ Shrine obtained on Nov. 18, 2010.
Kumamoto Castle and Castle Town Kumamoto seen in old photographs, Tomita Kouichi, Higo-Joudaibunka-Kenkyuukai, 1999.