Osake Shrine

 

Osake Shrine is a big, ancient shrine on the coast of Hyogo near to Ako.

The main kami is the spirit of Hata no Kawakatsu, whose grave is on the sacred uninhabited island just offshore.

The Hata were an intriguing immigrant clan who have unknown but variously theorized roots. Some say they were descendants of a Chinese emperor. Others say they were a "lost" tribe of Israel. Some say they came to Japan from paekche in Korea, others say Sila. Some say they spent time in Izumo before moving to Yamato.

Like other immigrant clans at the time they settled near what is now Kyoto and quite a few important sites are attributed to them, including most famously Fushimi Inari Shrine, but also Matsuo Taisha. Kawakatsu no Hata was a known associate of Shotoku Taishi and is said to have had much influence over the founding and construction of Shitennoji Temple.

One noteworthy point about Osake Shrine is that along with the shitno zuijin guardians there is also a pair of Buddhist Nio.

Also noteworthy are the large number of Ema paintings, especially those of boats. One dated to 1722 is considered the oldest and most valuable in Japan.

Not on display, the shrine owns a 1,300 year old mask, said to have been either given to Kawakatsu by Shotoku Taishi or carved by Kawakatsu himself.

Kawakatsu is said to be the founder of sarugaku, and Zeami and many other notable figures from ancient theatre styles claim to be his descendants.

Following the death of Shotoku Taishi Kawakatsu set sail and ended up in this area and spent some time developing the land. Some say he was exiled, some say he left to avoid the political violence that was commonplace in the capital at that time.

When he died a few years later his tomb was made on Ikushima just offshore and the locals built the shrine and enshrined him.

The Sakoshi Boat Festival takes place every October and is considered one of the Three Great Boat Festivals of the Inland Sea along with the Osaka Tenjin Festival and the Kangen Festival at Miyajima.

One of the traditional boats used in the festival is on display in the shrine grounds.

Most of the current buildings at the shrine date back to the 18th century.

Within the shrine grounds are numerous secondary shrines, including a Shingu Shrine to Shotoku Taishi, a Sumiyoshi Shrine and a Kotohira Shrine, both shrines connected with safety at sea.

There is also an Inari Shrine, a Tenmangu, an Ebisu Shrine and an Awashima Shrine.

There are said to be 28 branch shrines of Osake Shrine in the area, indicating its importance locally.

The island is visited by the boast during the festival, but otherwise is still off-limits to everyone, so the woodland on the island is completely natural and is a National Natural Monument.

Though not as grand, I recommend a local sea festival from my local area.

The previous post in this series on the Ako area was on Fumonji Temple and its beautiful Kannon statue.

Ako Oishi Shrine

 

Ako Oishi Shrine is located within the grounds of Ako Castle.

It is very much what I would consider a political shrine and was not built until 1912, though permission was granted in 1900 but right-wing nationalists were opposed to it.

It is known for the statues of the 47 Ronin lining the approach and was named Oishi Shrine after the leader of the group.

In the late 1940's a shrine enshrining the former daimyo of the castle was built nearby named Ako Shrine.

In 2000, the two shrines were merged together.

There are numerous secondary shrines in the grounds including an Inari, Awashima, Ebisu, Tenmangu, and a Hatta Shrine.

There are also statues of the 12 zodiac animals.

Notable are the komainu statues which are somewhat unusual.

I am not exactly sure of the story, but the shrine has some association with dogs, and visitors are allowed to bring dogs with them into the shrine.

I was wondering why therevwere such cute teddy bear ema votive tablets, before realizing that they are in fact dogs.

The shrine is built on the site of Oishi Kusunoke's residence, and the gatehouse still stands as well as a small garden.

There is a treasure house with swords and other artifacts connected to the 47 ronin.

The previous ost in the series was on nearby Fumonji Temple and its delightful Kannon statue.

Myo-ozan Fumonji Temple

 

This incredibly beautiful wooden statue of a Thousand -armed Kannon is believed to date back to the early Heian Period.

It can be seen in a small Tendai sect temple in the tiny castle town of Ako, famous for the legend of the 47 Ronin.

Originally located on a mountain to the NE of its current site along with another Tendai temple, Choanji. It is said to have been founded by Shotoku Taishi.

Both temples were destroyed at the end of the Warring States Period and relocated to different sites in the town.

unlike many of the smaller, non-touristy, temples, it is quite active, not just a funerary temple.

It is part of the Setouchi Kannon Pilgrimage, the Banshu Yakushi Pilgrimage, and something called the Pilgrimage to 36 Nunnery Temples.

The Thousand-armed statue, like most, does not actually have a full thousand arms, but what is noteworthy is the fine sculpting of the hands. It is an Important Cultural Property.

I believe this is a Yoga Daigongen shrine.

In 1957 it was moved to its current location and merged with Choanji Temple to become Myo-ozan Fumonji Temple.

The Mizuko Jizo statue, photo 5, is unusual in that it is sculpted as a female and looks like a Kannon.

There is a Fudo, photo 6, flanking the main statue of Kannon, but another Fudo is in the Goma-den.

If you are in the area, then it's worth visiting at least for the Kannon statue.

The previous post was on the excellent  gardens at the Ako Castle Ruins Park