Kata Jinja Shrine
Kata Jinja Shrine is known for its historic connection to Kuki Yoshitaka. When the former pirate and naval commander was tasked by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to build a new fleet of warships for his campaign to Korea in 1592, Yoshitaka harvested lumber from an enormous tree located within the shrine’s grounds. He used this lumber to create the magnificent flagship, the Nippon Maru, which was highly praised by Hideyoshi. To show his gratitude, Yoshitaka planted 1,000 Japanese cedars on the hills surrounding the shrine. Only one of these towering trees remains, just inside the entrance to the shrine grounds.
Kata Shrine also hosts annual spring performances of noh theater and kyogen, comical interludes performed between acts of a noh play. The masks and costumes used in these performances have been designated Tangible Cultural Properties by Mie Prefecture.