he "Katori Jingu" Temple is located in the village of Katori, near the city of Sawara, in the Chiba district, a two and a half hour train trip from Tokyo. t is dedicated to the Shinto deity FUTSUNUSHI NO KAMI. Deeply revered since ancient times by the imperial family, it is one of the temples honored with the addition of the term "JINGU", as in the case of the great temple of ISE. It received the highest awards a Shinto temple could get. owadays, it is one of the only temples for which ceremonies are administered by the imperial authority. With the passing years, the temple was celebrated as the house of the god of agriculture, trade and craftwork, of the safeguard of sea travelers, wish fulfilment, joy in marriage and happy births. But given his warlike achievements, the god of Katori was also revered as a peace keeper, a diplomat and a protector . ccording to tradition, the Temple was founded the 18th year of the reign of the first emperor, JIMMU. In 1958, it therefore celebrated its 2.600th birthday. As for the temple of ISE, tradition had it that the temple was to be re-built every 20 years. Yet, in the case of Katori Jingu, this tradition had not been respected and the main buildings dates from around 1700. It underwent however extensive repairs several times, the lastest in 1977. It is built in the "GONGEN" style.