History of Goryo Shrine
Origins in the Heian Period
The origins of Goryo Shrine can be traced back to 850, when a small shrine known as Tsubura Shinshi was established at a ceremonial site in Tsubura, in the present-day Utsubo area along Osaka Bay.
The site was associated with the Yasoshima Festival, an important ritual held in the Osaka Bay area. Three deities were enshrined there: Seoritsuhime-no-Kami, Tsuburahiko-no-Kami, and Tsuburahime-no-Kami.
At the time, the shrine was also known as Tsubura Shrine or Tsumura Shrine and served as the local guardian shrine of Tsumura-go in ancient Settsu Province.
Relocation and Development
In 1594, during the late 16th century, Kamei Koremi, the lord of Shikano Domain in Inaba Province, donated part of his residence in Semba. The shrine was subsequently moved from Tsubura to its present location in Semba.
At the time of the relocation, two smaller shrines within the original grounds, Inui Hachimangu and Gensho Reijin Shrine, were incorporated into the main shrine.
During the Edo period, the shrine also came to be called Goro-no-miya, reflecting its association with the legendary samurai Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa. Other names, including “Goryo-no-miya” and “Tsubura Goryo,” were also used.
Development During the Edo Period
During the Edo period, Goryo Shrine attracted many worshippers. A Buddhist temple called Hojoji was also established within the shrine complex, with the Eleven-Headed Kannon as its principal image.
During the Kanbun era (1661–1673), the shrine officially adopted the name “Goryo Shrine.” In 1753, it was granted the prestigious Shinto rank of Shōichii, the highest traditional court rank for a deity.
Changes During the Meiji Period
Separation of Shinto and Buddhism
During the Meiji period, the government introduced policies requiring the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. As a result, the grounds of Goryo Shrine and Hojoji Temple were separated.
Hojoji was eventually abolished, and today only a torii gate remains on the south side of the shrine as a reminder of the former Buddhist temple.
In 1873, Goryo Shrine was designated as a Go-sha, a local-level shrine under the shrine ranking system of the time. In 1884, a theater for Bunraku puppet theater known as Bunrakuza was established within the shrine grounds.
Modern Reconstruction
The Goryo Bunrakuza Theater
The theater became known as Goryo Bunrakuza and flourished as a venue for Bunraku performances. However, it was destroyed by fire in 1926, and the main shrine building was also lost in the fire.
The shrine buildings were reconstructed in 1930, but they were destroyed again during the Osaka air raids of 1945.
The shrine buildings were rebuilt once more in 1957, followed by the reconstruction of the torii gate and surrounding stone balustrades in 1959. The shrine has since undergone further improvements and continues to display a dignified appearance in the heart of Osaka.
Deities Enshrined at Goryo Shrine
Several important deities are enshrined at Goryo Shrine.
Main Deities
- Aramitama of Amaterasu Okami (Seoritsuhime-no-Kami)
- Tsuburahiko-no-Kami, the former local guardian deity of Tsumura-go in Settsu Province
- Tsuburahime-no-Kami, the former local guardian deity of Tsumura-go in Settsu Province
- Emperor Ojin (Kohata Hachiman Okami)
- Gensho Reijin, associated with the spirit of Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa
Highlights of the Shrine Grounds
Main Hall
The main hall was reconstructed in 1957 and remains one of the central buildings of the shrine.
Worship Hall
The worship hall was also rebuilt in 1957. Visitors use this space to offer prayers and show respect to the deities enshrined here.
Shrine Office
The shrine office is responsible for the administration of the shrine and preparations for ceremonies, as well as assisting visitors.
Auxiliary Shrines
Several smaller shrines are located within the grounds. The East Shrine enshrines deities including Amaterasu Okami, Ebisu, and Sarutahiko.
Matsunoki Shrine is also located within the grounds, while Daikoku Shrine enshrines Daikoku-sama, a deity traditionally associated with good fortune and prosperity.
Ceremonial Hall
The Ceremonial Hall was constructed in 1999 on the former site of Goryo Bunrakuza. It is a multipurpose facility used for weddings, lectures, and other events.
Monuments to Goryo Bunrakuza
Several monuments commemorate the former Goryo Bunrakuza theater. A stone marker erected by the City of Osaka identifies the former site, while a bronze monument shaped like a traditional Bunraku script book was created in 1974 by the Osaka Kitahama-Semba Lions Club.
These monuments provide a tangible reminder of the important role that Bunraku theater once played in Osaka’s cultural life.
The Sacred Camphor Tree
A large camphor tree stands beside the north side of the main hall. The tree survived the air raids of World War II and is revered as a miraculous survivor.
It is particularly known as the “Skin-Protecting Tree”, and according to local belief, praying to the tree is associated with blessings for beautiful and healthy skin.
Sites Outside the Main Shrine Grounds
Kusunaga Shrine
Kusunaga Shrine is located in Utsubohonmachi, Nishi Ward, Osaka City, and has historical ties to Goryo Shrine.
Otabisho
An Otabisho is a temporary resting place where portable shrines, or mikoshi, are placed during festivals and other religious events. It plays an important role in traditional shrine ceremonies.
Horie Angu
Horie Angu is located in Minamihorie, Nishi Ward. Boat processions have been held here since 1780.
After the Meiji period, the procession was changed to a land-based procession. In 2011, however, the traditional boat procession was revived for the first time in approximately 140 years.
Historic and Cultural Significance
The Goryo Bunrakuza Site
The stone and bronze monuments within the shrine grounds commemorate the former Goryo Bunrakuza. They are valuable reminders of Osaka’s long-standing Bunraku tradition.
Chikamatsu Monzaemon and “The Love Suicides at Sonezaki”
Goryo Shrine also appears at the beginning of The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, a famous work by the Edo-period playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon.
The shrine is also associated with the Osaka 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and is traditionally regarded as its 33rd and final temple site. As a result, it has attracted many visitors undertaking religious pilgrimages.
Festivals and Traditional Events
Goryo Shrine holds a variety of traditional ceremonies and festivals throughout the year, including its summer festival and Hi-taki Fire Ceremony.
One particularly notable event is the Oyumi Archery Ritual, which attracts many worshippers and contributes to the lively atmosphere of the surrounding community.
Access
Goryo Shrine is located in the office district of central Osaka. The nearest major station is Hommachi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line.
Despite its location amid modern office buildings, the shrine offers a quiet and peaceful atmosphere where visitors can take a break from the busy city streets.
A Historic Shrine in the Heart of Osaka
Goryo Shrine is a place where more than a thousand years of Osaka’s history and culture remain alive. Its long history includes relocation, the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the rise of Bunraku theater, wartime destruction, and repeated reconstruction.
Visitors can explore the shrine grounds, historic monuments, auxiliary shrines, and sacred camphor tree while learning about the close relationship between the shrine and the surrounding community.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, Shinto traditions, traditional performing arts, and the cultural heritage of Osaka, Goryo Shrine offers an opportunity to discover a quieter and historically rich side of the city.