Katō Shrine 2.66

is a shrine in Kumamoto Castle, Chūō-ku, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan, in which, daimyo or powerful territorial lord Katō Kiyomasa (1562–1611) is enshrined. Alongside Ōki Kaneyoshi and Kin Kan, who made junshi, are enshrined.HistoryIn 1868, Shinto style ceremony started at Jōchibyō which was the grave of Katō Kiyomasa in Honmyōji, proposed by Nagaoka Moriyoshi.In 1871, Nishikiyama Shrine was built within Kumamoto Castle at the separation of Buddhism and Shintoism. Enshrined are Katō Kiyomasa, Ōki Kaneyoshi and Kin.In 1874, the Nishikiyama Shrine was moved to Kyōmachi because the Kumamoto Castle belonged to the Japanese Army in 1873.In 1875, the rank of the shrine was made the prefectural shrine. This system discontinued in 1946.In 1877, the Nishikiyama Shrine was burned in the battle of Satsuma Rebellion. Shintai was moved to Kengun Shrine.In 1884, reconstruction was started.In 1886, the shrine was reconstructed.In 1909, the name of Nishikiyama Shrine was changed to Katō Shrine.In 1911, a Katō Shrine was built in Hawaii.Closed later.Closed after the war.Katō Kiyomasa is enshrined in about 90 shrines; about a half in Kumamoto Prefecture.In 1962, Katō Shrine was moved to the present site in Kumamoto Castle.In 1981, the Sūkeikai, an association of Katō Shrine goers, was started.