Nanba Yasaka Shrine

Nanba Shrine (難波八阪神社) is a Shinto Shrine in Osaka. It is a shrine for Gion worship dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto. It has a large lion-shaped building which is famous in Japan. History There is no longer any exact data as to the date of the first construction of this place of worship, but it is mentioned for the first time in the Annals of the Year 1069. Because of Bombing of Osaka, it burned to the ground in 1945. Its reconstruction and its current form date from may 1974. The deity Gozu Tenno (god of protection against epidemics) is honored in this temple. Special features In the central square of the temple there is a stage building 12 meters high, 11 meters wide and 10 meters deep, made of stone, in the shape of a lion's head. It is likely that the lion motif was influenced by the style of temples in Taiwan . Every third Sunday in January, a rite inspired by Japanese mythology is performed there. It tells the story of Susanoo, the god of Wind and Sea, and the dragon Yamata-no-Orochi . In 2001, this ritual was officially recognized as an element of the intangible heritage of the city of Osaka. Gallery Related pages Nanba Shrine References