Koshikiiwa Shrine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Koshikiiwa Jinja (越木岩神社, Koshikiiwa-jinja^?) is a Shinto shrine in Nishinomiya, Hyōgo, Japan . The other name of this shrine is Ebisudaijingu. The focus of this shrine is a megalith called 'Koshiki-iwa', literally, 'Rock of Rice Steamer', because ancient Japanese thought the shape resembled a traditional rice steamer. The height of the megalith is 10 meters with a circumference of 40 meters. The grounds of this shrine also include an outdoor sumo dohyo and a stage, possibly used for kagura.

[edit] History

On Engishiki, a document about royal ceremony in the Heian Period, there is a name of Okuninonushi-Nishi-Jinja(大国主西神社), and this shrine is believed to be today's Koshikiiwa Jinja.

About 1644, this shrine was re-constructed and in 1656 Ebisu from Nishinomiya Shrinewas enshrined there by the monk Kyojun(教順). The present inner shrine was built in 1936 and the outer shrine was built in 1983.

[edit] Access

• Kurakuen Station of Hankyu Koyoen Line
• Koyoen Station of Hannkyu Koyoen Line

[edit] References

• Koshikiiwa Jinja Homepage (Japanese only).
• "in Hyōgo Pref Rokkoh Megalith Zone/Koshikiiwa-Jinjya".
• "Koshiki-iwa Gets Upset (a folktale)"
• Koshikiiwa Jinja on Google Maps