The Aoki Shrine carried by Nue

Aoki Shrine

Aokibashi Bridge spans the Okagawa River, which runs behind the back of the Okagawa River in Kamiooka. Aoki Shrine, located at the foot of the bridge, is a mysterious shrine, also known as Nue's Palace and the Thief's Palace.
In the past, Aoki Shrine was located on the west shore, a little upstream from its current location. One year, heavy rain fell. The rain that continued to fall caused earth and sand collapse and swept away the houses and fields.
At last, when the rain stopped and the villagers were relieved, the shrine that had existed was gone. The surprised villagers looked around and found that the shrine was moving just a little down the eastern shore.
The people were astonished. It's hard for our guardian to go to the neighboring village. We talked together, and we tried to return it to the original place.
Over the days, the people were very pleased to see the palace who had finally returned. But the next day the villagers were astonished to breathe. The palace that has finally returned is gone.
The place where the villagers were searching for the shrine was on the eastern shore, which was washed away by heavy rain. It was strange that the people only twisted their necks.
Over a few days, the shrine returned to its original location. The villagers prayed that they would protect the village so that they would not go anywhere.

But what happened, at dawn, the shrine had moved to that place east. Even if you return home, at dawn, the shrine crosses the river and goes to the neighboring village.
The villagers were terrified that moving such a large shrine overnight is the work of youkai, or Nue's work, and that the shrine is wrapped and moved with large black wings. .
In the precincts of the shrine, large trees spread its branches and cover the roof of the shrine, and it seems that the monster bird Nue seems to live in the daytime.
At the shrine where the villagers stopped approaching, Nue's Palace, which was rumored that a thief had settled, and some people called the burglar's palace.
If you return it, if you go to the neighboring village at dawn, consult with you about returning it, and then Aoki Shrine has settled down to its current location.

This is a story recorded in "Hometown Konan's Old Story".
Each folk tale is free to use in principle only for non-commercial purposes.
For more information, please contact the Konan History Council.
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