Seiryu Shrine And Kenashi Pond Seiryu Shrine, A Shrine In Takasago, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Japan. Stock Photo

The pond was formed when the Nakagawa River burst its banks a long time ago. It is said to contain a white snake. The water in the pond never dried up and it was considered a sacred pond. Later, a branch spirit of Haruna Shrine, which enshrines the god of water, was invoked and Seiryu Shrine was built on the banks of the pond. It is said that water from the pond was poured into the fields when the weather remained dry, and during the Meiji period (1868-1912), the people held events to pray for rain. It was also said that bad things would happen if anyone tried to disturb the pond or drain the water out of it. People who were about to go to war often visited the shrine to pray for no injuries, since the word no means no injury.