【Adachi Mystery Hunter goes! 】 There are lots of old stories in Toneri! Effective for fulfillment of love too!? The tragic love story of Kenaga-hime [Second Part]

Last time, I approached the mystery in the Toneri area as​ ​"Adachi Mystery Hunter"​ ​​ ​

From the research of the old story about "Kenaga-hime" handed down to Toneri in Adachi, I became known about the origin of the place name called Kenaga and the sad ending of Kenaga-hime, and the existence of Kenaga-jinja Shrine which enshrined woman's hair as a deity has become clear.

"Adachi Mystery Hunter" decided to finish the research after visiting Kenaga-jinja shrine which is deeply related to Kenaga-hime.

However, the doubt came up suddenly.

"What was her husband doing, when Kenaga-hime worried about it so much?"

As I imagine, the doubt turns into anger.

"There must have been anything he could do for her before she killed herself!"

I thought.

夫を祀ったと言われる神社があると現地の方に聞いたため、一言文句でも言ってやろうと我々は毛長川を渡り、舎人にある「舎人諏訪神社」へと向かったのです。

Kenaga-hime and her husband were still gazing at each other!

Kenaga-jinja Shrine of Kenaga-hime
Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine of her husband.

When I arrived at Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine, I found that these two shrines are situated in a very interesting position.
As the old story said Kenaga-hime and her husband were from the rich houses located in Nissato and Toneri, and each location was across the Kenaga river.

However, the main buildings of the both shrines also face each other.
Originally, most of the shrine's main building is built facing south.
Although the reason is not cleared since there are various opinions, most of the shrine building is facing south and next east, and there are few west and north.
However, Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine is facing east.
The main building of Kenaga-jinja Shrine is facing west.

Sadly, the couple who was torn apart is situated in Tokyo and Saitama prefecture across the river, but​ ​they are still gazing at each other.​ ​​ ​

The two shrines have small precincts with no fortune slip, etc. They are standing very quietly.
The shrine also plays a role as a guardian deity of the area.
I just imagined that her husband was not good for nothing but surely loved Kenaga-hime. And he faced a dilemma as he could not go against his parents, so he also worried as much as his wife.
I guess villagers who knew the matter might build Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine along with Kenaga-jinja Shrine and they prayed the couple could be happy at least after death?

If so, Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine and Kenaga-jinja Shrine should watch over those who are worrying about the current love. It may be said that it is a good unknown power spot for love fulfillment and marriage.

And because the Kenaga river flows to the prefecture boundary between Tokyo and Saitama prefecture, this old story can be said as a story connecting Nissato in Soka City, Saitama Prefecture to Toneri in Adachi.

In addition, the another tragic love story has been handed down to Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine.

Another love story handed down to Toneri. A hidden matchmaking spot !?

Actually, the another old story similar to the one of Kenaga-hime has been handed down to Toneri.
That is the story of "Meoto Sugi, or a pair of Japanese cedar like a couple" in Suwa-jinja Shrine.

~ Summary ~

In the precincts of Suwa-jinja Shrine, two big Japanese cedars stood along each other.
As it looked like a couple, it came to be called "Meoto Sugi".

However, around 1728, when the excavation work of Minumadai Waterway started, a ditch was dug in the middle of this cedars, Meoto Sugi.​ ​
The cedars that had been called Meoto Sugi have been separated from each other by the ditch.

After that a bride procession came around to passing over these cedars. Because they feel pity for the cedars which have been separated for human's sake and they don't want to be separated from each other like them for good luck.​ ​

After that, the separated cedars have died in loneliness secretly.

I do not know whether it is related to Kenaga-hime, but it seemed that there was a real tragic love story in Toneri where a couple had been pulled apart for some reason.

The place name called Kenaga.
The enshrined deity of woman's hair.
Meoto Sugi.

And, I am also concerned about the deep connection with water such as pond, river, irrigation canal and so on. Toneri was wetlands and had many experiences of the flood.​ ​
As the town is located at the northernmost part of Tokyo 23 wards, it may be less familiar to some people, but a lot of interesting old stories such as Kenaga-hime legend and Meoto Sugi have been left in Toneri Suwa-jinja Shrine.

Interestingly, both of the shrines have relatively small precincts like a park with children's playthings.​ ​
Although the playthings were set up later, it seems that it was done in the hope that neighbors could get familiar with the shrines.

I feel even warmth as if they are watching children at play.

There are still a lot of old stories and folk tales in Adachi!

Furthermore, I found that there were many stories handed down in Toneri.

"Yugao-hime"
"Adachi-hime"
"Senju-Ohashi and Big Red Carp"

etc.

I hope to introduce these old stories at some point as well.

Conclusion

What did you think?
There were probably a lot of stories that even Tokyo people heard for the first time. The story rooted in the area is gradually decreasing.

This time, I solved the mystery handed down in Toneri area with the cooperation of Mr. Okuma, a farmer in the 8th generation in Toneri who has studied the history and the storytelling of Toneri. But there are still lots of stories that have not been introduced yet.

In April, "Senbon Sakura Festival in Toneri Park" will be held and it is a best season to enjoy viewing the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo. Please visit Toneri to check the legend and tradition of the story.

Cooperation of coverage: Mr. Kyuzaburo Okuma
Adachi Mystery Hunter (Writing): Nakanishi Hideo