Omi Jingu Shrine

Built in 1940 to commemorate the 2600th anniversary of the Emperor’s reign, this shrine is dedicated to Emperor Tenchi, who was the first in Japan to adopt a clock with a leakage mechanism.

The shrine pavilions are in a new style called Omi-zukuri or Showa-zukuri, and are designated as a registered national cultural property as representative of modern shrine architecture.

The shrine grounds cover an area of approximately 60,000 tsubo (200,000 m2), with corridors surrounding the hall and inner and outer worship halls. The brightly colored vermilion tower gate is a landmark of the temple, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Located on the site of the Omi Otsu Palace, the ancient capital of Emperor Tenchi, Omi Jingu was founded in 1940, and although its history as a shrine is relatively new, the development of Shiga Prefecture and Omi Province began with Otsu Palace as the capital, and reverence for Emperor Tenchi has long been strong in the Lake Country, making it a shrine with a history of approximately 1350 years.

The shrine is visited by more than 500,000 worshippers annually, making it a representative shrine of Otsu.

Emperor Tenchi, together with Kamatari Fujiwara, eliminated the tyranny of the Soga clan and implemented the Taika Reformation (645). Emperor Tenchi is regarded as the god who, with great wisdom and courage in the face of continental pressure at a turning point in ancient society, realized the grand founding ideals of the nation and laid the foundation of the ancient state.

He is also called the “Guardian God of Time” because Emperor Tenchi created Japan’s first leakage clock (water clock).

On June 10, the anniversary of the first day of the Toki (time), the “Leak Festival” is held.

It is also known as the “Karuta Hall of Fame” because the opening poem of the Ogura Anthology of One Hundred Tanka poems was composed by Emperor Tenchi, and it is also called the “Karuta Hall of Fame”. It is also famous for the “Karuta Festival” held at New Year’s.

It was also the setting for the movie “Chihayafuru. The Omi Kangakukan is the stage for competitive karuta, hosting the Meijin rank and Queen rank tournaments and the National High School Karuta Championship.

It is also known as the filming location for the movie “Chihayafuru,” and panels of characters related to the movie are displayed inside the building.

The Omi Kangakukan is also located on the grounds of the shrine, and is the site where the Meijin and Queen competitions of Hyakunin Isshu competitive karuta are held.

Furthermore, the Costume Department of Omi Jingu Shrine offers hands-on kimono rentals. Kimonos and hakama can be easily rented, and visitors can enjoy strolling and taking pictures on the grounds of the shrine.

The clothes can be easily put on using buckles or Velcro tape, and those who are unsure about dressing can ask for help from the staff. Visitors can also try on karuta narikiri and mock juni-hitoe (twelve-layered kimono).

Omi Jingu Shrine is also home to many poem and haiku monuments, inscribed with works by Emperor Tenchi, Emperor Kobun’s Chinese poetry, poems by Kakimoto no Jinmaro and Takaichi Kuroshu from the Manyoshu, haiku by Basho, Yoda Yojuro, and many other poets and haiku poets.

A visit to Omi Jingu Shrine is a great way to experience the fascination of clocks and karuta. Please visit Otsu to seek the blessings of Emperor Tenchi, the patron god of time.

Omi Jingu Leak Festival

The Omi Jingu Leakoku Festival honors Emperor Tenchi, the deity of Omi Jingu Shrine, who was the first in Japan to use a leakage clock to measure time. The festival is held every year on June 10, the “Memorial Day of Time,” and on this day, people involved in the watch industry dress up in dynasty costumes and dedicate a new watch. A dance and music performance is also held at the festival.

Emperor Tenchi

Emperor Tenchi (626 - 672) was the 38th emperor of Japan (reign: February 20, 668 - January 7, 672).

He created Japan’s oldest nationwide family register, the Kungo Nenritsu (庚午年籍), and laid the foundation for the public-land civic system.

In 660, he built a funerary clock (rokoku, water clock), and in 671, he installed it on a new platform at the Otsu Palace and struck a bell drum to begin telling the time. This event is known as the “Anniversary of Time.

Emperor Tenchi was also a Manyo poet whose four poems have been handed down in the Manyoshu. He is also honored in the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems) as the founder of the school, and the following poem is included at the beginning of the book.

The following poem is also revered in the Man’yoshu, and is included at the beginning of the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems).

This poem means that the toma of the roof is rough and my sleeves have become moist and wet with the dew of the night.

The poem, “I have made a temporary hermitage for the harvest of Akita, and the dew is on my hands, cold and wet.
This poem is included in the Manyoshu (Anthology of Myriad Leaves) as a poem written by a farmer. The poem was composed by a farmer, and has been passed down through the generations as a poem showing the compassionate heart of a benevolent emperor who was considerate of the hardships of his environment.

Emperor Tenchi played an important role in Japanese history, and his achievements during his reign are manifold.

Clock Museum Treasure House (Omi Jingu Clock Museum)

Located in the birthplace of Japan’s time system, this museum is dedicated to clocks and watches and has a collection of approximately 2,300 clocks from around the world.

The museum displays about 180 clocks, including pocket watches from the early Edo period.

In addition, paintings and ceramics dedicated to “Omi Jingu” are also on display, as well as approximately 3,200 clocks and related materials from around the world.

The reason why this area is regarded as the birthplace of Japan’s time system stems from the fact that Emperor Tenchi, who built the Otsu-kyo Capital, created a water clock called a “leakage clock.

Visitors can also see these ancient clocks outside the museum, which also displays a “leakage clock,” a “sundial,” and an ancient “fire clock.

The Clock Museum Treasure House was established in 1963 as the Clock History Museum in honor of Emperor Tenchi, who installed Japan’s first clock called a leakage clock. Later, the name “Clock Museum” was also used, but in 2010, the museum was renovated as the Clock Museum Treasure House.

A reconstructed model of Japan’s oldest clock, the Leakoku (donated by OMEGA), a reconstructed model of a fire clock used in China (donated by Rolex), and a sundial are on display outdoors.

In the Clock and Watch Gallery on the first floor, valuable actual clocks, including a Japanese-style clock and the oldest pocket watch in Japan, are on display.

On the second floor, the Treasure House exhibits materials related to the history of Omi Jingu Shrine, as well as paintings and ceramics dedicated to the shrine, including Soga Shohaku’s “Dansai Rokaku Sansui-zu (Landscape with Pavilion)” (a highly accurate reproduction, the original is deposited at the Lake Biwa Culture Museum).