Visit Japan Web Sanno Shrine
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore the Sanno Shrine. It is renowned for its uniqueness and historical significance. The main torii stands as a poignant reminder of its wartime past. Founded in 1638 by Nobutsuna Matsudaira, the shrine continues to captivate visitors with its impressive and intriguing presence.
In the same year, a civil war erupted in Shimabara, prompting the general of the government forces to quell the conflict. During his passage through the area, he noticed the resemblance of the landscape to that of Mount Hiei. Consequently, he urged the local governor in Nagasaki to construct a shrine, and his directive was followed, leading to the establishment of the Sanno Shrine, which translates to “king of the mountain.”
Many years have passed, and Japan, upon entering the Pacific War, endured the catastrophic effects of atomic bombs. The first bomb was detonated in Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. The epicenter of the explosion, near the Sanno shrine, was a mere 8 kilometers away. The unfathomable blast of heat and fire instantaneously obliterated this shrine.
Miraculously, despite being halved by the explosion of the atomic bomb, the main torii of this sanctuary managed to remain standing. Almost all the support columns remained upright, effectively keeping the door in position. The force of the shock wave turned the torii about 30 degrees on its pedestal base.
It’s important to note that most metal or wooden buildings close to the bomb’s epicenter melted or degraded instantly. Therefore, it’s truly miraculous that a torii so near to the epicenter has stayed standing. What’s most impressive is that over 70 years have passed since the tragedy, and yet this torii has remained standing throughout the years.
