Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine 住吉大社

Description

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of only three existing shrines constructed in a “purely Japanese” architectural style, free from the influences of mainland Asia. Established in 211, its distinctive sumiyoshi-zukuri architecture features straight thatched roofs, an entrance under the gable, and a surrounding fence. The shrine used to be ritually torn down and rebuilt in exactly the same way every 20 years like many other Shinto shrines; the oldest buildings now date back to 1810, but they have retained this unique original design. A high-arched bridge graces the entrance to the shrine grounds, which also are home to sacred trees over 1,000 years old. The shrine, which is now landlocked but once faced the sea, has close ties with the water. The kami deities enshrined there are believed to protect sailors and fishermen, and the four main buildings are arranged to resemble a fleet of ships heading out to sea. As Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of over 2,000 Sumiyoshi shrines usually found close to harbors around Japan, seafarers and marine transport-related companies have donated over 700 hundred stone lanterns to the shrine precincts over the centuries. Sumiyoshi Taisha holds a special place in the hearts of Osaka residents. The Sumiyoshi Matsuri festival is a popular summer event, and other annual rituals include a rice-planting ceremony held in June for good harvests, a full moon festival featuring poetry readings, and a unique event in which a sacred horse gallops around the shrine grounds in January. It isn’t just horses rushing around the shrine either: each year, about two million people visit the shrine during the first three days of January to pray for good health and prosperity in the year ahead.