[Osaka] Sakai City, Iwatatsuta Shrine

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This is a rare shrine with two main buildings, one north and one south, standing side by side.
The north building enshrines the three deities Hiruko-no-Mikoto, Yae-Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto, and Ame-no-Hohi-no-Mikoto,
while the south building enshrines the secondary deity Amaterasu Omikami and the secondary deity Takeminakata-no-Mikoto.
According to legend, Hiruko-no-Mikoto washed ashore on this land and placed the five-colored sacred stone he brought with him.
This is why the shrine is known as "Japan's oldest Ebisu Shrine."
At the intersection in front of the torii gate, there is a spot where the "five-colored stone" (the sacred object) is said to have been buried underground, and a stone has been placed above ground to mark the spot.

The north and south main halls, worship hall, first and second torii gates are designated tangible cultural properties by Sakai City. The shrine building dedicated to Hiruko-no-Mikoto was constructed by imperial order on August 10, 7th year of the reign of Emperor Kōshō (469 BC).
Both main halls from the same era still remain, and the worship hall is unusual in that it has two passageways called medō (horse paths).
The first torii gate is made of stone, and an inscription from 1642 (Kan'ei 19) carved into its pillar indicates its construction date, making it one of the oldest torii gates in the city.

On December 14th, 108 bundles of firewood are burned in front of the shrine in the fire-walking ritual "Yassai Hossai" (a folk cultural asset). It is said that carrying the embers home will ward off evil spirits.

Subsidiary shrines within the shrine grounds include Iwayama Inari Shrine, Hachiman Shrine, and Hakuhebi Shrine.
The grounds also contain a large stone where Hiruko no Mikoto is said to have sat.

Iwatutada Shrine
4-12-7 Naka, Ishizucho, Hamadera, Nishi-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture 592-8334

Post by こりのとりっぷ | Aug 28, 2025