Deities Enshrined at Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine
The shrine enshrines the following four principal deities:
Sokotsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto
Nakatsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto
Uwatsutsu-no-o-no-Mikoto
Okinagatarashihime-no-Mikoto
History of the Shrine
Origins and Development
The origins of Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine are traditionally traced back to the Battle of the Nozato River in 1382. According to tradition, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu invited the deity of Sumiyoshi Daijingu to the area to pray for victory in the battle.
During the Meiji period, the shrine’s name was changed to Sumiyoshi Shrine, and it continued to serve as a place of worship for people in the surrounding community.
Development from the Meiji Period Onward
1872: The shrine was designated as a village shrine.
1909: It was designated as a shrine eligible to receive offerings of sacred food and ritual offerings from the government.
1965: The shrine buildings were renovated. During the construction work, artifacts dating from approximately the 5th to 6th centuries were discovered. These finds have been interpreted as suggesting that some form of sacred site or shrine may have existed in the area since ancient times.
Shrine Grounds and Buildings
Subsidiary Shrines
Several subsidiary and associated shrines stand within the grounds of Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine.
Yodogawa Ebisu Shrine: Enshrines Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto and Okuninushi-no-Mikoto.
Gozashomaden Shrine: Enshrines Kusanoso-no-Kami, Sugawara no Michizane, Kasuga Okami, Hachiman Okami, and Yaoyorozu-no-Kami.
Kotohira Shrine: Enshrines Kotohira Okami.
Tsukiyori Daimyojin
Katsuo-gi Inari Shrine
Genjiro Inari
Other Highlights
遥拝所 (Yōhaisho): A special place where visitors can pray toward distant shrines and sacred sites.
Otomezuka: A historic mound located at the site of the former Taki Pond.
“Nozato no Ichiyakanjo” Traditional Festival
One of the most distinctive traditions associated with the shrine is Nozato no Ichiyakanjo. The event was designated an Osaka Prefecture Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1972.
The tradition is said to date back to before the Genroku era of the Edo period. According to the legend behind the festival, the village of Nozato suffered repeatedly from floods, storms, and epidemics. Each year on January 20, a young woman was reportedly placed in a traditional chest and offered as a human sacrifice in an attempt to protect the village from disaster.
The Legend of Iwami Jutaro
The tradition is connected with the story of Iwami Jutaro, who is said to have defeated a giant serpent known as Ha-hai and saved the village.
Afterward, the event developed into a festival intended to ward off misfortune. Since 1907, it has been held annually on February 20.
The wooden tub used in the traditional ceremony is itself a valuable historical object, dating from 1702.
A Tradition Shaped by Storytelling
According to the researcher Mitsuyoshi Miyoshi, the story of the serpent’s defeat was changed to feature the creature “Ha-hai” in Kato Gyokushu’s Iwami Jutaro, published in 1911. This illustrates how the legend surrounding the festival has evolved through historical retellings.
Today, Nozato no Ichiyakanjo is more than a traditional legend. It remains an important part of the area’s history, religious traditions, and cultural identity.
Access
Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine is conveniently located within walking distance of a railway station.
Nearest station: Tsukamoto Station, JR West Tokaido Main Line.
From the station: Approximately 10 minutes on foot west from Tsukamoto Station.
Nearby Attractions
Several other historic shrines can be visited around Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine.
Kaguhashi Shrine: A historic shrine with a long-established local tradition.
Kozu Shrine: A shrine with a rich historical background.
Owada Sumiyoshi Shrine: One of the shrines associated with the Sumiyoshi tradition.
A Shrine Preserving Local History and Tradition
Nozato Sumiyoshi Shrine represents the long history of faith and community life in Nishiyodogawa. Its traditional connection with Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, ancient archaeological discoveries, and numerous subsidiary shrines reveal the layers of history preserved within its grounds.
The shrine’s most distinctive cultural feature is Nozato no Ichiyakanjo, a traditional event rooted in local legends and beliefs about protecting the community from disaster.
With its convenient location just 10 minutes on foot from Tsukamoto Station, the shrine is an accessible destination for visitors interested in discovering Osaka’s local religious traditions and lesser-known historical sites.