Wondering about the guardian spirit of Mitsubishi? You have arrived at Tosa Inari Shrine. This Shinto shrine stands in Osaka’s Nishi Ward. It was once a village shrine.
Let me tell you a tale of history and corporate connection. The Tosa Inari Shrine has roots stretching back centuries. Though its exact founding remains unclear it has links to the Tosa Province now Kochi Prefecture.
In 1717, Yamauchi Toyotaka of the Tosa clan built the shrine. It became the clan’s guardian shrine. Commoners were then allowed to worship here. As the Yamauchi clan journeyed through Osaka they always paid their respects. The clan maintained the shrine.
Now for the Mitsubishi connection. In the early Meiji era, the Tosa Inari Shrine was transferred to Iwasaki Yatarō. He was from Tosa and the founder of Mitsubishi. Iwasaki renovated the shrine. Later it was listed as a village shrine.
Since then, the Tosa Inari Shrine became the guardian of the Mitsubishi Group. The shrine was destroyed during World War II. It burned in the Great Osaka Air Raid of 1945. But it was rebuilt in 1993 with donations from Mitsubishi companies.
Today you can see the Mitsubishi Group’s mark. The “Three Diamonds” symbol is on the shrine. Many Mitsubishi companies donate to support the shrine.
Inside the Tosa Inari Shrine you will find several smaller shrines. These include Wakamiya Shrine, and Tamayaki Inari Shrine. Stone monuments mark the former site of Iwasaki Yatarō’s residence.
The Tosa Inari Shrine is also known for its cherry blossoms. In the Edo period it was a famous blossom viewing spot. Though the war destroyed the original trees new ones were planted. The cherry blossom tradition continues today.
So as you stand before Tosa Inari Shrine remember its intertwined history. A place of local worship turned guardian of a global corporation. It shows how tradition and modernity can intertwine. The Tosa Inari Shrine remains a unique spot in Osaka.