By ando 
Basic Information
Name: Ikukunitama-jinja Shrine
Common Names: Ikutama-san, Naniwa no Oyashiro (Naniwa Grand Shrine)
Location: 13-9 Ikutama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka-fu
Main Kami: Ikushima-no-Okami, Tarushima-no-Okami
Access: Approximately 3 minutes walk from Tanimachi 9-chome Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line.
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2700 Years of History and a Mystery Surrounding Osaka Castle
The history of Ikukunitama-jinja is said to date back to the time of Japan’s first emperor, Emperor Jimmu. What is astonishing is its former location. In fact, it was originally situated on the very ground where Osaka Castle stands today.
In 1583, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi began construction of Osaka Castle, he relocated the jinja to its current site. It is believed he either feared the overwhelming divine power (shin-i) of the jinja, or wished to keep it nearby as a guardian for his new castle. Even today, there is a theory that the Osaka Castle site is the jinja’s original sacred ground (shin-iki), and every year during the Ikukunitama Festival, a sacred procession (togyo) takes place, with the kami symbolically returning to their former home at Osaka Castle.
Japan’s Only Architectural Style: Ikukutama-zukuri
When you visit the main hall, be sure to pay attention to its roof. The main hall of Ikukunitama-jinja is built in a unique style known as “Ikukutama-zukuri,” which is found nowhere else in Japan.
Its magnificent appearance, featuring a nagare-zukuri style roof topped with three layered gables – a chidori hafu, a sugari karahafu, and another chidori hafu – conveys the splendor of Momoyama culture. While the current building is a concrete reconstruction from after the war, its distinctive form exudes a singular presence.
Shigino-jinja, Loved by Yodo-dono, and Rumors of Severing Ties
Among the sub-shrines (massha) on the grounds, Shigino-jinja is particularly popular, constantly drawing female worshippers.
This jinja is said to have been devoutly worshipped by Yodo-dono, a concubine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and was originally located to the east of Osaka Castle. After Yodo-dono’s suicide, her spirit was enshrined here, leading it to also be called “Yodohime-sha.”
Backstory and Blessings: While known as a guardian kami for women, this is also a powerful spiritual spot famous for “severing bad ties” (en-kiri) and “forming good ties” (en-musubi). A continuous stream of people offer ema (votive tablets) inscribed with their wishes to break harmful relationships and attract positive ones. Furthermore, an appraisal office known as “Gakeppuchi Uranai” (cliff-edge fortune-telling) is located very close to the jinja, adding a slightly mysterious atmosphere as people facing life’s critical junctures come seeking guidance.
Sacred Site of Kamigata Rakugo and the Anime ‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju’
Ikukunitama-jinja is also the “birthplace of Kamigata Rakugo.” In the Edo period, a man named Yonezawa Hikohachi performed “karukuchi” (a precursor to rakugo) on the jinja grounds, achieving immense popularity, which marked the beginning of this comedic storytelling tradition.
Pilgrimage Information:
For fans of the popular anime ‘Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju,’ this is an essential pilgrimage site. Within the jinja grounds, there is a monument dedicated to “Yonezawa Hikohachi, the founder of Kamigata Rakugo,” and every September, rakugo performers gather for the “Hikohachi Festival.” Many fans visit this place to immerse themselves in the world of rakugo depicted in the anime and to feel the fervent passion of the performers striving for mastery of their art.
A Place Where Performing Arts and Literature Intersect
Beyond rakugo, the jinja also serves as a setting for ningyo joruri (Bunraku) plays by Chikamatsu Monzaemon, such as “Sonezaki Shinju” and “Ikutama Shinju.” A Joruri-jinja shrine is also located on the grounds, enshrining Chikamatsu Monzaemon and other figures associated with Bunraku.
Ikukunitama-jinja is a place where Osaka’s history, the ambitions of powerful figures, and the popular performing arts culture of common people intricately intertwine. Stepping inside, one forgets the bustle of the city and enters a deeply profound and weighty flow of time.
Related Links/References
[1] https://kusanomido.com/yahoo/112917/ 『縁結びスポット』淀殿も通った大阪・生国魂神社（鴫野神社）に行ってみた – 草の実堂
[2] https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%9F%E5%9C%8B%E9%AD%82%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE 生國魂神社 – Wikipedia
[3] https://www.aflo-net.co.jp/blog/entry-434563/ ERROR: The request could not be satisfied
[4] https://www.osaka-soundtrip.com/spot/history11643/ 難波における国土鎮護の祭祀に起源を持ち「生國魂造」という独自の神社建築形式を有す | OSAKA NOSTALGIC SOUND TRIP
[5] https://shizuka0329.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-4597.html 大河ドラマに恋して：淀殿・秀頼ゆかりの生国魂神社～太融寺(大阪編)
[6] https://shinbutsureijou.net/ikukunitama.html 神仏霊場巡拝の道 第48番 生國魂神社
[7] https://ichibanosaka.com/ja/ikukunitamajinjya/ 生國魂神社 – 大阪の観光・グルメサイト IchibanOSAKA（イチバンオオサカ）
[8] https://www.showachosumai.jp/blog/entry-436091 大阪市天王寺区にある「生國魂神社」の概要と見どころをご紹介！｜昭和町・阿倍野区の賃貸情報なら昭和町住まい
[9] https://bihadasabo.net/hp/2017/11/08/204/ 女性の守護神、鴫野神社に愛の成就を誓う 「生國魂神社」 – 美肌茶房
[10] https://travelbag.jp/%E5%88%9D%E3%82%81%E3%81%A6%E3%81%AE%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E3%83%BB%E9%9B%A3%E6%B3%A2%EF%BD%9Evol-27%E3%80%8C%E7%94%9F%E5%9C%8B%E9%AD%82%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%E3%80%8D/ 初めての大阪・難波～Vol.27「生國魂神社」 | TRAVEL BAG
[11] https://www.osaka-asobo.jp/course1173.html まち歩き・まち遊び詳細｜大阪あそ歩
[12] https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%B7%80%E6%AE%BF 淀殿 – Wikipedia
[13] https://www.travelprofessor.com/japan/osaka/8613/ 神話の時代から続く生國魂神社 | TravelProfessor
[14] https://osaka-info.jp/spot/ikutamajinjya/ 生國魂神社 | 観光スポット・体験 | OSAKA-INFO
[15] https://tfc-office.jp/column/osaka/street-views-16/ 大阪最古の神社 ― 生國魂神社が見せる“まちの底力” | オフィス検索はTFC賃貸事務所
[16] https://ameblo.jp/rrerr/entry-12688594484.html 鴫野神社～淀殿信仰の社 | 古都の礎