By ando 
Basic Information
Location: 5-706 Mozu Akahata-cho, Kita Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture
Enshrined Kami: Emperor Ojin (Hachiman Okami), Empress Jingu, Emperor Chuai, Sumiyoshi Okami, Kasuga Okami
Main Blessings: Protection from evil and good fortune, Family safety, Traffic safety, Safe childbirth
Mozu Hachimangu jinja, nestled amidst the World Heritage Site “Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group,” boasts vast grounds spanning approximately 33,000 square meters (over 8 acres). This jinja, affectionately known as “Hachiman-san” by local residents for generations, is steeped in profound history, with numerous tales and mysterious legends woven into its fabric.
The Origin of the Name “Mozu” and the Legend of the Bird that Flew from an Ear
The place name “Mozu” holds a somewhat astonishing and mysterious legend.
Once, while Emperor Nintoku’s Mausoleum (Nintoku Tenno-ryo Kofun) was being constructed, a deer ran out of a field and suddenly collapsed and died in front of the workers. Puzzled, they examined the deer’s ear, and from within, a single shrike (mozu) flew out. The shrike had thoroughly ravaged the inside of the deer’s ear, and this event is said to be the origin of the area being called “Mozunomimihara” (Mozu Ear Field).
Furthermore, according to the jinja’s own records, there is an intriguing backstory imbued with a wish for peace: when Empress Jingu was returning from her expedition to Sankan (ancient Korea), she made a vow here, saying, “I shall calm and protect this land for tens of thousands of generations.” Because of this, the area was once written as “Yorozuyo” (万代, also read as Mozu).
800 Years Old! The “Giant Camphor Tree” Radiating Overwhelming Vitality
Standing majestically to the immediate right of the Haiden (main hall for worship), the giant camphor tree is both the symbol of Mozu Hachimangu jinja and its most powerful spiritual spot.
Age: Approximately 800 years
Height: Approximately 25 meters
Trunk Circumference: Approximately 5.2 meters
This colossal tree, designated as a natural monument by Osaka Prefecture, possesses incredibly beautiful branches that create an overwhelming presence, as if embracing the entire jinja. Despite having a hollow in its trunk, its leaves still grow lush and green, making it a symbol of vitality where many worshippers come to pray.
300 Years of Tradition! The Grand and Brilliant “Tsukimi Matsuri” and Futon Daiko
When one thinks of Mozu Hachimangu jinja, the “Tsukimi Matsuri” (Moon Viewing Festival), held annually on the 15th day of the 8th month of the old calendar (Mid-Autumn Moon), immediately comes to mind.
The star of this festival is the “futon daiko,” a drum float shaped like five giant red zabuton (traditional Japanese cushions) stacked on top of each other. This immense float, weighing approximately 2 tons and standing about 4 meters tall, is carried aloft by 60 to 70 bearers gathered from various neighborhoods, accompanied by their unique chant of “Beera, Beera, Berashosshoi.”
There is a theory that the word “Beera” comes from “Mera,” signifying a wish for a bountiful harvest. This passionate spectacle, symbolizing autumn in Sakai, is truly breathtaking.
The Mystery of the Forbidden Ground and “Mozu Shojin”
Gobyoyama Kofun, located to the west of the jinja, is believed to have once been the temporary mausoleum of Emperor Ojin and has long been revered as the “Okunoin” (inner sanctuary) of the jinja.
An Edo period legend tells of a farmer who, riding in a tub, secretly entered this kofun, which was forbidden ground. From a burst of light, an old man in white robes appeared and scolded him, saying, “How dare you trespass on sacred ground!” Since then, a mysterious custom called “Mozu Shojin” began in this region, where people abstain from eating raw fish or meat during the New Year period, conveying the solemnity of the sacred area.
Mozu Hachimangu jinja is a place where the power of the kofun group, the vitality of the giant camphor tree, and the passion of the people converge. It is a destination that will undoubtedly captivate anyone, not just history enthusiasts, with its mystical atmosphere.