Misu-Oji Shrine is a historic site located in Tanabe City, Wakayama Pref. It is a part of World Heritage “Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes,” and one of the Kumano Kuju-ku (ninety-nine) Oji Shrines, which were small shrines along Kumano ancient pilgrimage routes in the Heian and Kamakura periods (794-1333). Actually there were more than 100 such small shrines existing on the routes at some time, so 99 meant “numerous.”
Misu Oji is referred to in many writings such as “Kumano-michi no Aida Guki,” Fujiwara no Teika’s diary and “Shumeimonin Kumano Gyokoki” by Fujiwara no Yorisuke in 1210. Misu-Oji was once declined but restored as Kagemi-Oji in the Edo period (1603-1868). The ruin of Misu-Oji shrine remains in the precinct of Misu Shrine.