Enshrined Deities
Five deities are currently enshrined at Shikinai Tatehara Shrine:
Takemikazuchi no Okami: A powerful deity associated with martial strength and protection.
Okuninushi no Okami: A major deity associated with the establishment and prosperity of the land.
Emperor Kogen: The eighth emperor in the traditional Japanese imperial genealogy.
Sugawara no Michizane: A renowned scholar and court official who later became widely revered as Tenjin, the deity of learning.
Akaruhime no Mikoto: A deity associated with ancient traditions concerning the Korean Peninsula and Japan.
Because several acts of enshrinement and consolidation have taken place over the centuries, historical sources do not always agree on the exact list of deities enshrined at the shrine.
Origins and History
The traditional founding date of Tatehara Shrine is the sixth year of Emperor Sujin’s reign, corresponding to 91 BCE.
According to shrine tradition, an imperial edict was issued to the provincial governor Oodo Naguro, stating that it would be inappropriate to enshrine Kunihei no Okami and Takemikazuchi no Mikoto together in the same sanctuary. Separate sanctuaries were therefore established.
One became Tateno-Misaki Shrine, dedicated to Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, while the other became Hoko-no-Misaki Shrine, where the sacred halberd of Kunihei was enshrined.
A ceremony marking the establishment of the shrine was traditionally held on September 2 of the seventh year of Emperor Sujin’s reign, and shrine lands were designated in the ninth year.
The Connection with Empress Jingu
During the era associated with Empress Jingu, the shrine is said to have received a divine oracle concerning military affairs during her legendary campaign against the Three Han states of the Korean Peninsula.
After returning to Japan, Empress Jingu is said to have personally visited the shrine together with the Crown Prince. At that time, she reportedly ordered the shrine to be renamed Tatehara Jingu, while the Oodo clan was renamed the Okinaga clan.
This traditional account is regarded as an important episode in the history and identity of Tatehara Shrine.
History from the Asuka Period Onward
According to tradition, in 607, during the reign of Empress Suiko, Nakatomi no Kamatari visited Tatehara Shrine as an imperial envoy and was presented with an imperial chrysanthemum crest.
There is also a record that in 1336, during the Northern and Southern Courts period, the Crown Prince visited the area and established a temporary imperial residence here.
Relocation and Revival of the Shrine
Tatehara Shrine was once destroyed by fire during warfare involving the Northern Court. In 1481, during the Bunmei era, it was moved from its former site to the present shrine grounds.
During the Genna period (1615–1623), the buildings were damaged by severe storms. New shrine buildings were subsequently constructed at the present location, and the enshrined deities were transferred once again.
The shrine buildings were designated an Osaka City Tangible Cultural Property in 2011, recognizing their historical value.
Meiji-Period Shrine Consolidation
In 1906, a policy of consolidating local shrines was proposed. Tatehara Shrine, which had held the status of a village shrine, was merged with Touzai Shrine and Kasuga Shrine into Tenjin Shrine.
A consolidation ceremony was held on September 12, 1907, as local shrines were reorganized under the government’s shrine consolidation policies.
Tatehara Shrine Today
Today, Shikinai Tatehara Shrine operates as an independent Shinto shrine and remains familiar to residents of the surrounding area.
The historic buildings and shrine grounds convey the long history of the site, while the changing scenery throughout the four seasons provides a peaceful setting for visitors. Many people visit during the annual festivals, when traditional local customs continue to be observed.
Festivals and Religious Events
Shikinai Tatehara Shrine holds its main seasonal festivals in summer and autumn. The summer festival is traditionally associated with July 5, while the autumn festival is held on October 15.
These events are important occasions for the local community and attract worshippers and visitors.
Yukikaeshi Ritual
In the past, Tatehara Shrine held a traditional ceremony known as the Yukikaeshi no Shinji.
The ritual was associated with a place called Yazuka, said to commemorate an arrow shot by the Crown Prince. During the ceremony, the chief priest would shoot arrows while mounted on horseback.
The ritual was discontinued sometime after the Genroku period.
February 3 – Setsubun
On February 3, mountain ascetics known as yamabushi from the Sugiyama-ko tradition conduct prayers using goma, or wooden prayer sticks burned in a sacred fire.
This traditional observance is an important occasion for local residents to pray for good health and protection from illness.
February 20 – Kinen-sai
The Kinen-sai was traditionally an occasion when individual households offered lamps and visited the shrine to pray to their ujigami, or clan and community guardian deity.
This custom is no longer practiced today.
First Sunday of July – Summer Festival
The summer festival was formerly held on July 4 and 5. Today, it is held on the first Sunday of July, when a mikoshi portable shrine is carried through the neighborhood.
In earlier times, numerous food stalls lined the streets and children could be seen playing traditional drums, creating a lively festival atmosphere.
October 14–15 – Autumn Festival
The autumn festival takes place from October 14 to 15, with the main festival day on October 15.
Local residents gather at the shrine to express their gratitude and offer prayers, making this one of the important traditional events of the community.
December 23 – Year-End Cleaning and New Year Preparations
On December 23, parishioners gather for a major cleaning of the shrine grounds in preparation for the New Year.
They also make new shimenawa sacred ropes and shimekazari decorations. The main sanctuary, torii gate, sacred tree, and other important elements are renewed as part of preparations to welcome the New Year in a fresh and purified setting.
Cultural Properties and Historic Buildings
The main sanctuary of Tatehara Shrine was constructed during the Genna period. In recognition of its historical value, it was designated an Osaka City Tangible Cultural Property in 2011.
The main sanctuary is the central structure of the shrine and has retained its distinctive appearance despite the passage of centuries.
Historical Documents of Kire Village in Sumiyoshi District, Settsu Province
The Historical Documents of Kire Village in Sumiyoshi District, Settsu Province are valuable records associated with Tatehara Shrine.
The collection was gathered by Hideo Tsuda, a professor at Kansai University, and contains records concerning the village, village officials, and shrine-related matters during the Edo period.
As official documents of the village, they provide important information about local administration and community life. They also contain detailed references to Tatehara Shrine, offering insight into the management of the shrine and the religious ceremonies held there during the period.
Separation of Shinto and Buddhism and the Identification of the Deity
Tatehara Shrine had long been associated with Tenjin as a principal deity. Following the Meiji Restoration, the government’s policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism required the identities of shrine deities to be formally clarified.
According to historical sources, Susanoo no Mikoto was designated as the shrine’s deity under the name Mutō Tenjin, and this tradition has continued to the present day.
During the Meiji period, arrangements were also made concerning the selection of Shinto priests and the continuation of religious rites, helping the shrine maintain its role as a center of local worship.
A Shrine Preserving the History of Hirano
Shikinai Tatehara Shrine is an important historical and cultural site in Hirano Ward, Osaka. Revered by local residents for generations, the shrine combines an ancient tradition with a rich history of relocation, reconstruction, religious change, and community festivals.
Its connection with the Engishiki Jinmyocho, historic shrine buildings, traditional ceremonies, and valuable documents provide a glimpse into the religious and community history of the Kire area.
Today, Tatehara Shrine continues to preserve its traditions while serving as a place of worship and a cultural landmark for the local community.