Sumiyoshi-taisha

Sumiyoshi-taisha (住吉大社) is a Shinto shrine in Osaka, Japan. During the Sengoku period, it was situated in the outskirts of the city, southeast of the Temple of Osaka.

History[edit | edit source]

Since the 9th century, the shrine was dedicated to a deity of navigation and even extended to waka poetry. The poetry enticed the many aristocrats and members of the imperial family. With this connection, the shrine was the location of imperial New Year events or sumo wrestling that carry on to the present day.^[1]

In 1582, the Kakushiba ikki member and shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe arrived at the shrine after tracking the location of the kabukimono gang leader, the Grave Dancer. Upon finding him alongside with two of his guards, Naoe quickly assassinated him and recovered the katana Widower's Solace from the Grave Dancer's personal effects.^[2] At some point, Naoe and fellow Kakushiba ikki member Yasuke paid their respects at three of the smaller shrines.^[3]