Dec 5, 2014 - 1 min read

Akama Shrine

A somber shrine dedicated to a young emperor

By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

Akama Shrine, sitting on a hill along the water in Shimonoseki

Unlike other shrines, a large pool separates the worship area for visitors and the inner shrine

A view back out the gate of the Kanmon Straits

A prayer plaque (ema, in Japanese) at Akama Shrine, featuring the young Emperor Antoku

The story of Akama Shrine, which sits just a few hundred meters from the Kanmon Straits in Shimonoseki, is a rather sad one. The shrine is dedicated to Antoku, the six-year-old child emperor who perished in the sea during the battle of Dan-no-ura just offshore in 1185. When it became clear that the Minamoto clan (also known as the Genji) would triumph over the Taira clan (also called the Heike), Taira matriarch Tokuko (the Emperor’s grandmother) plunged into the sea with the young Emperor in her arms. Both perished, along with most of the Taira warriors.

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By Mandy Bartok

Community writer

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Shoko Seina Shiraishi a year ago

Hi, I am not very good at English.

" Taira matriarch Tokuko (the Emperor’s grandmother)"
I think this part will be TOKIKO instead of TOKUKO. Tokuko is the mother of the young emperor ANTOKU. Tokiko is NII NO AMA, a grandmother who dived into the sea carrying emperor Antoku.