God of fertility, vitality, and life itself
Ikushima Okami is a Shinto deity embodying the very essence of life, vitality, and fertility. Venerated as a foundational force of existence, this kami is paired with Tarushima Okami, the two together representing the fullness and abundance of life.
The principal site of worship for Ikushima Okami is the Ikushimatarushima Shrine in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, a highly prestigious sanctuary listed as a Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki of 927. The shrine holds the status of a Beppyo shrine and also functions as an Ubusuna-jinja, a guardian shrine with a deeply rooted local significance.
The shrine is also notable for its historical treasures, including a remarkable series of loyalty pledges made to the warlord Takeda Shingen by more than a hundred retainers during the years 1566 and 1567, underscoring the sacred role this site played in the political and spiritual life of the region.
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