sengen

Sengen is a Japanese term with two primary senses. In language, sengen is a common noun meaning a declaration or proclamation, and it appears in phrases such as teikoku sengen (imperial declaration) or dokuritsu sengen (Declaration of Independence). The word is written with the kanji 宣 (to announce) and 言 (to say), and it is used across legal, political, and public contexts. In everyday usage, it can refer to formal declarations, treaties, or announcements.

In Shinto, Sengen refers to a class of shrines known as Sengen Jinja, which are dedicated to deities associated with Mount Fuji, commonly identified with Asama no kami and Konohanasakuya-hime, the blossom-princess. The Sengen shrines form a historical network tied to the worship of Mount Fuji and played a role in regional religious life and pilgrimage. They helped disseminate Fuji worship beyond the mountain itself and were linked to local rulers and traders who sought divine protection for travel and settlement.

Notable examples include Fujisan Hongū Sengen Taisha, located in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture, which is considered the head shrine of the Sengen network. Another well-known site is Nikko Sengen Taisha in Tochigi Prefecture, which preserves the tradition within a broader shrine complex. Today, Sengen shrines remain active cultural and religious sites, attracting worshippers and visitors interested in Shinto practices, Fuji worship, and historical networks of shrine patronage. The term sengen in this context reflects a religious tradition rather than a general linguistic usage.