(The Deity of the Sacred Lifting Stone)

 

In the Kinugasa and Komatsubara area,

many ujiko (worshippers) have long lived as farmers.

During festivals, adult mikoshi (portable shrines) were carried by these worshippers.

 

One day, for no particular reason, some strong men began testing their strength

by seeing if they could lift this stone located within the shrine grounds.

It became said that, if one could lift it, their wish would come true.

 

Before long, the stone came to be enshrined with reverence by the ujiko

as a sacred power stone that grants wishes.

 

This stone has long been believed to bestow all kinds of strength

when lifted while offering a prayer.

 

Since before Tenmei 9 (1789, during the reign of Emperor Kōkaku),

many of the shrine's worshippers—especially children born into the community—

have lifted the stone with prayers for:

 

🔹 Safe childbirth

🔹 Academic success

🔹 Examinations

🔹 Employment

🔹 And other heartfelt wishes

 

Receiving divine strength in return.

 

Therefore, inspired by such real examples of blessings received,

a devoted worshipper familiar with these stories

and a group of ujiko initiated the formal enshrinement of the deity.

 

From now on, instead of lifting the stone itself,

we kindly ask worshippers to write the following on a small stone and offer it:

 

📝 Name / Gender / Age / Description of one’s prayer

 

This sacred stone is said to surely grant blessings when prayed to in this manner.

 

Those who receive blessings are also kindly requested

to offer another small stone, similar to the initial one,

with the words: “Wish Fulfilled, Thank You”

written on it as an expression of gratitude.

 

This small stone may be received from the shrine office,

just as one would for the prayer.

 

📖 Dated: An Auspicious Day of October, 1961 (Showa 36)

 

Reference:

Chronological Table of Emperors from the Destiny Almanac – Shimmeikan Edition