"Inu Shrine", recommended for praying for safe delivery in Nishi Ward, Nagoya City.

“Inu Shrine” stands quietly in a residential area in Nishi Ward, Nagoya City. It is an ancient shrine with a history of more than 1340 years, and is said to bring blessings of child-bearing, safe childbirth, a happy marriage, and family safety. It seems that there are many people who come all the way from afar to visit on Dog Day.

This time, we will introduce "Inu Shrine".

History of Inu Shrine

Inu Shrine is located in Nishi Ward, Nagoya City. A 10-minute walk from Exit 1 of Shonai-dori Station on the Tsurumai Subway Line.

It has a long history, and it is said that it was erected when rice harvested in Nagoya was presented to the imperial family during the reign of Emperor Tenmu.

It is described as 'Inu Shrine, Yamada District, Owari Province' in the 'Engishiki,' a legal code that explains the national system of the Heian period, and 'Junior Third Rank Inu Tenjin' in the 'Hongokucho' (a list of shrines in Owari Province). It is one of the oldest shrines in Nagoya with a history of more than 1340 years.

Let's go to the precincts!

After passing through the torii, wash your hands at the chozuya. Chozu is a way of praying to purify the mind and body before worship. It is said that by purifying, you can receive divine virtues from the gods.

At the end of the chozuya is Hakuryu-sha, where an 800-year-old shii tree, a sacred tree, is planted. A white snake has been living here for some time, and it is worshiped as a god of good fortune and fulfillment of wishes.

In addition, there is "Ohyakudo stone" on the approach.

It is said that those who pray for the fulfillment of their heartfelt wishes, such as those wishing for a safe birth or having a child, will have their wishes come true by making a hundred round trips between the Ohyakudo Stone and the offertory box in front of the worship hall.

There was also a five-colored candle behind the "Banpei" in front of the approach. Lighting a candle and praying is said to be a greeting to the God.

Beyond the "Hakuryusha" is the "Main Hall."

 The three enshrined deities are "Susanoo-no-Mikoto", which is said to ward off misfortune and to keep the family safe, "Otoshi-no-Kami", which is said to bring blessings of a bountiful harvest and business prosperity and "Inuhime-no-Kami", which is said to bring blessings for easy childbirth, child bearing, and child rearing.

Among them, many pregnant women visit to pray for safe childbirth, as they are said to be blessed with divine virtues for child-bearing, safe childbirth, harmonious marriage, and safety at home.

A stone dog statue is placed in front of the main shrine, and there is a legend about the founding of Inu Shrine.

A long time ago, a villager who was troubled by the flooding of the Shonai River asked a traveling mountain monk to pray for him, and no flood occurred that year.
Wondering, the villager opened the sacred offering that he had been told not to open, only to find inside a picture of a dog and the words "King of Dogs" written on it.
And the next year it was flooded again.
The villager apologized to the monk who stopped by again for opening the sacred offering without permission, and asked him to pray again. Then the monk said, "Bury the offering and build a shrine,'' and after that the flood stopped.

This is said to be the beginning of Inu Shrine. Along with the legend of Inu Shrine, stone statues of dogs were dedicated because dogs give birth safely. Nowadays, it is common to see pregnant women praying for safe childbirth by rubbing the stone dog statues.

After praying in front of the statue, rub the dog's belly, then rub your own belly in the same way as you pray for safe childbirth and childbirth.

Small dog figurines are placed around the dog stone statue.

This is the "Lucky dog fortune," which can be drawn for 300 yen each, and a fortune will come out from inside.

Of course, you can also take the figurine home and decorate it.

In addition to the Lucky dog fortune, there are other unique omikuji fortunes, so be sure to check them all out.

In front of the main hall, there is another sacred tree, "Osugi Shrine".

A long time ago, Tengu lived here, and it is said that ``If you touch the large cedar and stroke the affected area, it will give you a miraculous effect.''

Even now, many people go behind the sacred tree and pray for the fulfillment of their prayers.

On the right side of the main hall, there is also an Emaden, where a huge dog ema is placed.

Since ancient times in Japan, horses have been considered sacred as vehicles for the gods, and live horses have been dedicated to shrines during festivals and Shinto rituals to pray for the advent of the gods. In the early modern era, it was simplified to "a horse drawn on a board'', which became an ema.

At Inu Shrine, a large ema is dedicated to New Year's prayers every year.

This is the subordinate shrine of Inu Shrine. From the left, Hie Shrine, Tenjin Shrine, and Kasuga Shrine. The three deities: Takemikazuchi no Mikoto, Futsunushi no Mikoto, and Sugawara no Michizaneko, are enshrined. It is believed to bring blessings for the improvement of military fortune, academic achievement, and family prosperity.

Finally, let's go to the inner shrine "Tamanushi Inari Shrine".

The original shrine was on the west side of the main hall, but it was moved to its current location in 1954.

When you pass through the vermilion torii gate, you will see bright lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The blessings are said to be a bountiful harvest, business prosperity, and prosperous business.

"Omokaru stone" of marble. When a wish comes true, it feels light when lifted. Please try it.

This time, we introduced Inu Shrine, an old shrine in Nagoya that has been loved since ancient times. Although the precincts are small, the shrine has a lot to offer.

Please visit if you want to receive blessings for "dog lovers," "easy childbirth," and "child bearing."