Deities Enshrined at Kagata Shrine
The principal deities of Kagata Shrine are:
Honda Wake no Mikoto, identified with Emperor Ojin.
Tarashi Nakatsuhiko no Mikoto, identified with Emperor Chuai.
Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto, identified with Empress Jingu.
The shrine also enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, Takaokami no Kami, and Sugawara no Michizane, who is worshipped here as Tenjin.
History of Kagata Shrine
Foundation and Early History
The exact date of Kagata Shrine’s foundation is unknown. However, according to the “Record of the Shrine’s Origins, History, and Priesthood Traditions” compiled in 1859 (Ansei 6), the shrine’s deity was transferred from Usa Hachimangu, and the shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1480 (Bunmei 11).
A picture map dating from 1599 (Keicho 4) also depicts the shrine grounds, providing valuable information about its appearance during the late 16th century.
Repairs During the Edo Period
The present main sanctuary was built during the middle of the Edo period, and a ridge-tag dated 1654 (Jōō 3) remains as evidence of its construction.
During the Genroku period (1688–1704), Tani Zen’emon, a parishioner living in Sakai, used his own funds to repair the shrine buildings. These repairs formed the foundation of the main sanctuary that survives today.
Fire and Reconstruction
A fire in 1853 (Kaei 6) destroyed the worship hall, Yakushi-do, middle gate, and surrounding stone-and-wood enclosure. Reconstruction began soon afterward, and the buildings were completed in 1858 (Ansei 5).
In 1908 (Meiji 41), nearby village shrines, including Wasa Shrine and Hachiman Shrine, were merged with Kagata Shrine.
Architecture and Cultural Heritage
The Main Sanctuary
The main sanctuary is built in the traditional three-bay nagare-zukuri style and is designated as a Kawachinagano City Cultural Property.
Its architectural features include a two-bay depth, vivid polychrome decoration, and a roof that was originally covered with cypress bark but has since been changed to copper sheeting.
The sanctuary provides an excellent example of traditional shrine architecture and reflects the long history of worship at Kagata Shrine.
Smaller Shrines
A small shrine on the right enshrines Ebisu and Otoshigami, while the small shrine on the left is dedicated to Tenjin, associated with Sugawara no Michizane.
These structures and religious objects are valuable remnants of the area’s history and traditional beliefs.
The Shrine Grounds and Their History
The grounds of Kagata Shrine are surrounded by abundant greenery. A map showing the shrine’s grounds in 1599 reveals that the complex was once much larger, with a main sanctuary, worship hall, sutra repository, and surrounding enclosure, as well as Senpukuji Temple, Okuno-bo, Kitano-bo, Minamino-bo, Miyanobo, and a Yakushi-do.
Many of these buildings were lost after the shrine’s lands were confiscated during the land survey ordered by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1595 (Bunroku 3).
Today, the main sanctuary, worship hall, subsidiary shrine storage building, and Yakushi-do remain. Together, these surviving structures preserve traces of the shrine’s long and complex history.
Access
Address: 135 Kagata, Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture
Nearest Station: Mikano-dai Station, Nankai Koya Line
On Foot: Approximately 1.3 km west from Mikano-dai Station, or about a 16-minute walk.
Set in a quiet, nature-rich environment, Kagata Shrine is a pleasant place to combine a visit to a historic shrine with a walk through the surrounding scenery.
A Peaceful Shrine Surrounded by Nature
Kagata Shrine is an important part of the cultural heritage of Kawachinagano, with centuries of history reflected in its architecture, religious traditions, and surviving cultural properties.
Visitors can explore the shrine’s historic buildings while enjoying the peaceful natural surroundings. It is a rewarding destination for anyone interested in Japanese history, traditional architecture, and local religious culture.