Oita: ‘Homecoming’ of Hachiman Deity to Usa Jingu Shrine Celebrated After Nearly 1,300 Years

Oita: ‘Homecoming’ of Hachiman Deity to Usa Jingu Shrine Celebrated After Nearly 1,300 Years

USA, Oita — A ceremony was recently held to mark the “homecoming” of the Hachiman deity to Usa Jingu shrine in Usa, Oita Prefecture. The deity is said to have been invited to a branch shrine in Nara 1,276 years ago as a guardian for the construction of the Great Buddha at Todaiji temple in Nara.