Database: Chikubu-shima

Chikubu Island, in the northern part of the Lake Biwa with a circumference of barely 2 kilometers. The entire island is made up of granite monoliths and is surrounded by steep rocky walls. The island has been the object of worship since ancient times, Chikubu-jima being a sacred place where Shintoism and Buddhism were united since the Shinto shrine Tsukubusuma (former Benzaiten shrine), and the Buddhist temple Hogon-ji (of the Shingon school) are connected by a wooden tunnel.

In the 16th century, Azai Hisamasa, castellan of Odani in the province of Ōmi, was temporarily imprisoned on the island near his fief and forced to live in seclusion by his vassals who planned to pass the reins of power to his son Nagamasa. Oda Nobunaga is said to have visited the island following his victory over the Azai lords in 1573.

According to a well-known legend in the region, Tatamihiko-no-mikoto, the god of Mount Ibuki, participated in a height contest with his niece, Asai-hime-no-mikoto, deity of Mount Asai (the current Mount Kanefusa). He lost and, furious, cut off the goddess's head which fell into the lake, forming Chikubu-shima Island. The Chikubu-shima shrine also worships the deity Asai-hime-no-mikoto.

In the Middle Ages, Chikubu Island was considered a sacred place in western Japan in connection with earthquakes. The island has a dragon pit called Ben no iwaya, from which a dragon-fish (a large catfish) called Takefu Myōjin emerges, and circles the island seven times, wrapping its tail around the island to protect it from earthquakes.

Chikubu-shima is also the name of a Noh play whose plot takes place on the island and notably celebrates the deity Benzaiten.