Yoshin Collection: The inspiration

In our path of traditional martial arts, we have visited special places with unique power, read about legendary creatures of Budo mythology and heard special phrases from masters or seniors that have inspired us along the our Budo Journey.
With the help of our good friends at Yoshin Project, we created the Yoshin Collection a small homage to all this amazing places and legends, that represent the historical, mythological and cultural side of Budo.Let us share with you more details on the source of our inspiration:

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 Dedicated to the Shinto Kami Takemikazuchi-no-Ōkami (武甕槌大神), one of the most important deities of martial arts, Kashima Jingu is the sacred epicenter of Japanese martial arts and designated as an important cultural asset for Japan.
The four shrine buildings including the main hall were built in 1619 by Hidetada Tokugawa, the second shogun of the Edo period.

As one of the oldest shrines in eastern Japan, it has been graced by many a famous swordsman over the decades. Famously, it is the birthplace to the Kashima Shinto-ryu school of swordsmanship.

Periodically, the shrine holds traditional martial arts demonstrations. If you are not lucky enough to be around when it happens, however, don’t forget to get an ‘omamori’or good luck amulet with the image of Takemikazuchi-no-Okami. Common in many dojos across Japan, he is believed to protect and bless both establishments and practitioners.

We got inspired to design our Kashima T-shirt by the famous Romon gate, built in 1634, considered one of the most beautiful of this kind in Japan and one of the most iconic sights of the shrine.

How to Get There

Kashima-jingu shrine is a 10-minute walk from Kashima-Jingu Station. A train from Tokyo Stationon the Kashima Line will get you to Kashima-Jingu Station in just over two hours.
A Keisei Bus that runs from Tokyo Station's Yaesu exit directly takes you to Kashima-jingu shrine in about two hours.