Sumiyoshi Jinja (住吉神社)

Just before the Hamaori Festival, lanterns line the sando of the Shinto shrine of Sumiyoshi Jinja (住吉神社) in the Nango District of Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Sumiyoshi Jinja (住吉神社)

According to local legend, during the Daiei era (circa 1525), local villagers enshrined the Buddhist goddess of Kishimojin (鬼子母神) to protect children from epidemics and disasters.  The place was called Jurasetsunyodo (十羅刹女堂) where prayers were offered for good health, safety, and well-being.

During the early Meiji period, when the government ordered the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, the area being a fishing village, local representative Seigoro Ishiguro (石黒政五郎) orchestrated the enshrinement of the kami from Sumiyoshi Taisha, traditionally associated with the sea.  This marked the foundation of Sumiyoshi Jinja, replacing Jurasetsunyodo.

Inari shrine

The current shrine building dates back to 1928 and features wooden carvings of warriors on both sides.

Next to the shrine building is a small Inari shrine.

Next to the torii is a stone shrine enshrining the Eight Great Dragon Kings (八大龍王).  These dragon kings were worshipped as deities of abundant fishing and locally referred to as Ryugu-sama (竜宮様) in Chigasaki.

Ryugu-sama (竜宮様)