Gazing at this tranquil site one wonders what stories lie hidden within the \u6e6f\u91cc\u4f4f\u5409\u795e\u793e. This Shinto shrine resides in Osaka’s Higashisumiyoshi Ward. It was once a village shrine.
Let’s explore its past. The shrine enshrines Nakatsutsuo no Mikoto. This deity is also known as Nakatsutsu no O no Mikoto.
Long ago a shrine stood on Mount Tenjin. It was called Sutahora Hokora Jinja. The shrine was the guardian of the Tomita Osakabe clan. The Tomita clan split. They were incorporated into Kawachi Province Tanbi County. Because of this the enshrined deity Sumiyoshi Sanjin was invited to this location. It became known as Sutahora Hokora Jinja. It was also called Sumiyoshi Nino Miya and Yuya Shima Sumiyoshi.
Fire destroyed the shrine in the wars between Tensho and Keicho. This included the shrine and old records.
The \u6e6f\u91cc\u4f4f\u5409\u795e\u793e was designated as a village shrine in 1872. In 1915 it was designated as a Shinsen G币 Heihakuryo K供进社.
The \u6e6f\u91cc\u4f4f\u5409\u795e\u793e may have been built for people from the Korean Peninsula. Once the area was called Hyakuura no Hoai. It may have been a settlement for people who came from Paekche. Paekche was an ancient kingdom. Hot springs may have gushed here.
The shrine’s construction year is unknown. But the shrine was destroyed in a fire. This fire occurred during the Tensho and Keicho eras.
Originally Nakatsutsuo no Mikoto was enshrined at Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine’s second main shrine. Therefore the \u6e6f\u91cc\u4f4f\u5409\u795e\u793e was called Sumiyoshi Nino Miya.
Various theories surround the enshrined deity. In the 玄芒秘府 of the Engishiki, taxes were gathered from major shrines. These shrines were in Settsu Kawachi and Yamato. These taxes were for envoys from Silla. Rice was collected and sake was brewed. Dances were performed. Sumido-sha was one of these shrines.
Some believe Sutahora Hokora Jinja corresponds to this Sumido-sha. Three shrines appear in the Shinmyocho. They are Nakato Sutahora Jinja, Kamuto Sutahora Jinja and Sutahora Hokonasa Jinja. Each is compared to Nakato Sutahora Jinja, Kamuto Sutahora Jinja and Sutahora Hokone Shrine. Some believe Sutahora Hokonasa Jinja is this shrine.
Nakato Sutahora Jinja is considered to be two shrines. Some consider one of these shrines to be this one. One is Nakato Sutahora. The other is Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine. Details are unclear.
The shrine precincts include Tokuwasa Okami Shrine. It is believed to have been invited from Takeshima.
Though small it is a place of peace. The \u6e6f\u91cc\u4f4f\u5409\u795e\u793e offers a glimpse into Osaka’s local history and spiritual life. A place where locals come to pray.