Komainu of Sumiyoshi Taisha (11) - Tanekashi-sha and Koyasu-sha

Hattatsu-san

Many people visit Sumiyoshi Taisha to pray for prosperous business and family safety. Visiting the four shrines of Sumiyoshi Taisha—Tanekashi-sha, Nankun-sha, Asasawa-sha, and Otoshi-sha—on the first Day of the Dragon of each month is called 'Hatsutatsu-mairi.' If you visit 12 times a year for 4 years, totaling 48 visits, it is called 'Shijuhachi-tatsu,' or 'constant development,' and your prayers will be fulfilled.

The Deity of Seeds

Tanekashi-sha is an ancient shrine recorded as 'Tame-jinja' in the Engishiki Jinmyocho and the Sumiyoshi Taisha Jindai-ki, and it is the first shrine visited during the Hatsutatsu-mairi. Originally, it was a place of worship for receiving rice seeds and praying for a bountiful harvest, but over time, it evolved into a place to pray for business capital, funds, and the blessing of children.

In front of the worship hall of this Tanekashi-sha, there is a rare pair of komainu. They are 'piggyback komainu' with a child and grandchild riding on the parent's back.

The pedestal is inscribed with 'Dedicated on the first Day of the Dragon of the New Year, Heisei 26.' Although they are still new, they are the perfect komainu for praying for children and the prosperity of future generations.

There is also a bronze komainu pair dedicated in the same year, Heisei 26. Perhaps this one was modeled after the Sumiyoshi-style komainu in front of the Taiko-bashi bridge? The A-gyo (though its mouth is not very open) has drooping ears and many curls, while the Un-gyo has standing ears, straight hair, and a horn on its head.

Inside the inner sanctuary, there are also colorful komainu placed.

Birthplace of Issun-boshi

Everyone knows the old tale of 'Issun-boshi.' It is a story from the 'Otogi Zoshi,' which is thought to have been written in the Muromachi period.

An elderly couple who had no children prayed to the gods to bless them with a child, and finally, the old woman was blessed with one. However, the child born was only one sun (about 3 cm) tall and did not grow even after many years, so he was named 'Issun-boshi' (One-Sun Boy).

It was the gods of Sumiyoshi to whom the elderly couple prayed at that time. Because of this, Sumiyoshi Taisha became known as the birthplace of Issun-boshi.

Komainu of Koyasu-sha

To the east of Tanekashi-sha, where prayers for children are offered, there is a small shrine. This is called Koyasu-sha, and it is revered as a deity of child protection.

In front of the shrine building, there is an old pair of sandstone komainu about 50 cm tall. The pedestal is inscribed with 'April, the Year of the Water Monkey, Bunka 9.' Bunka 9 corresponds to the year 1812. They have round eyes, large noses, and expressions that look like they are frowning; the A-gyo figure has drooping ears, while the Un-gyo figure has upright ears and horns.

It is said that until the early modern period, Koyasu-sha was enshrined to the south of the Fourth Main Hall and was worshipped alongside Empress Jingu as a 'deity of safe childbirth and child protection.'