A Hachiman shrine (八幡神社, Hachiman Jinja, also Hachimangū (八幡宮)) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Hachiman.[1] It is the second most numerous type of Shinto shrine after those dedicated to Inari Ōkami (see Inari shrine).[1] There are about 44,000 Hachiman shrines.
Originally the name 八幡 was read Yawata or Yahata, a reading still used in some cases. Many towns and cities incorporating the names Hachiman, Yawata or Yahata grew around these shrines.
- ^ a b Motegi, Sadazumi. "Shamei Bunpu (Shrine Names and Distributions)" (in Japanese). Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 23 March 2010.