suge-ura

Historical Footprints

To begin with, it is important to clarify the pronunciation of the name ‘Suge-ura’. While the bay is read as “Suge,” the shrine has long been locally pronounced “Sugi-jinja.”

During the Edo period, when the Forty-Two Bay pilgrimage was actively practiced, the bay name was written using different characters and may have been read as ‘Suke’ or ‘Suge’. In the Izumo Fudoki, a shrine and beach are recorded using characters typically read as ‘Sugi’. However, in the Tenpyo-era document “Izumo no Kuni Keikaicho,” the same beach appears as ‘Shige’, suggesting that this may have been the original pronunciation.

The ‘Suke-ura’ of the pilgrimage era corresponds to present-day Suge-ura, and its connection to the ‘Sugi’ beach mentioned in the Fudoki supports the existence of the shrine recorded in those ancient texts.

The modern shrine in Suge-ura, Sugi-jinja, located near the community center, is likely a descendant of the ‘Suga-yashiro’ listed in the Fudoki.

Another important aspect is the former presence of Shingu-jinja. In the Unyoushi, the Suge-ura section first mentions a shrine called ‘Kamuhata Myojin’, followed by a reference to ‘Shingu’. According to the 1875 document “Teikoku Chishi” (Imperial Topography), there were once two shrines in Suge-ura: Sugi-jinja and Shingu-jinja.

Shingu-jinja was located approximately 800 meters south of the village and enshrined deities such as Izanagi-no-mikoto, Hayatama-no-ono-kami, and Kotosaka-no-ono-mikoto. Sugi-jinja, situated closer to the bay (about 100 meters away), enshrined Sarutahiko-no-kami and Homutawake-no-mikoto.

Today, Shingu-jinja no longer maintains its own shrine grounds due to road construction and has been merged into Sugi-jinja.

At the beginning of the pilgrimage tradition, Shingu-jinja—located inland in the mountains—was the primary site of worship. Over time, however, the focus appears to have shifted to a shrine closer to the coast.

Kanezaki Zenbei, in his pilgrimage records, referred to the shrine as ‘Kamuhata-jinja’. This is believed to correspond to the present-day Sugi-jinja, which now enshrines eleven deities, including three originally from Shingu-jinja.

Pilgrimage Route Guide

To reach Sugi-jinja, travel along the Matsue–Mihonoseki road and pass Nagami-jinja. Turn left at the T-junction traffic lights in front of Miho no Seki Sports Park, heading toward Kita-ura. Continue in the direction of Shichirui, and after navigating a narrow road, you will arrive at the shrine.

Following the nearby river further downstream leads to the open sea and the beautiful sandy shores of Sugihama Beach. In the river in front of the shrine, large carp can be seen swimming. These were first released in 1983 (Showa 58) as part of a community revitalization effort led by the “Suginoko” organization.

The ‘Akugiri’ ritual, in which a sword is symbolically used to cut away illness and misfortune, has been revived as part of the Gion Festival held in mid-July at Sugihama Beach.

During the festival, both children and adults carry omikoshi through the town before gathering at the beach. Adult participants then enter the sea with the portable shrine to perform a purification ritual. In some years, local officials, newlyweds, and visitors are also invited to take part in this purification ceremony.

The community activities initiated by the Suginoko group continue today and are centered around the Fureai Hall located beside Sugi-jinja.