Kumano Nachi Taisha

The Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) is a Shinto shrine and one of three Kumano shrines in southeastern Kii, Japan.^[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Near the end of the 11th century, the shrine joined the Kumano Shingū and Kumano Hongū to be part of the Kumano Sanzan. During the 12th century, it was relocated to its current location.^[2] In 1582, the Kakushiba ikki members Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke visited the shrine after following a clue from one of bounty hunters after Kyonyo. In the woods behind the shrine, they spotted Shishi-o interrogating some locals for Kyonyo's location. Confronting him, they assassinated Shishi-o and acquired a note from his leader Tsuchi-Gumo and the tantō Traitor's Bargain from his personal effects.^[3] While there, Naoe and Yasuke paid their respects to five of its smaller shrines.^[4]