The shinto shrine Ōyamato Jinja is tucked away in a rural district of Tenri city, Nara. Although many records were lost to fire in 1583, it is believed that its name, Ōyamato, is in direct reference to the city of Yamato, capital of Yama-taikoku, the ancient proto-japanese nation. Later, the area of present day Nara prefecture was referred to as Yamato province, and the period from CE 250 to 710 is collectively known as the Yamato period. The present main hall dates from the end of the 17th century.
Ōyamato Jinja was the guardian shrine of the battleship Yamato, the largest warship ever built, which was sunk in the last months of WWII with the loss of 2,736 lives. A commemorative stone which indicates Ōyamato Jinja’s connection with the ship stands at 2,736mm in memorial to the fallen. Furthermore, the approach road from the first torii to the main hall is 270m long, the approximate length of the battleship.
The peaceful and austere precincts of the shrine, surrounded by forest, are perfectly attuned to contemplation on the futility of war, while the rustling leaves gently whisper Japan’s pacifist promise.
Ōyamato Jinja is a 500m-walk from JR Nagara station on the Manyo-mahoroba line.