Koshikiiwa Shrine

nihongo|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, 'Rice Steamer Rock', 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.

History

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

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

Access

*Kurakuenguchi Station of Hankyu Koyoen Line
*Koyoen Station of Hankyu Koyoen Line

References

* [http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~koshiki/ Koshikiiwa Jinja Homepage] (Japanese only).
* [http://www.gainendesign.com/taizan/kosiki/kosiki.html "in Hyōgo Pref Rokkoh Megalith Zone/Koshikiiwa-Jinjya"] .
* [http://saylors.exblog.jp/i4 "Koshiki-iwa Gets Upset (a folktale)"]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&z=18&ll=34.758798,135.322262&spn=0.001939,0.003648&t=k Koshikiiwa Jinja on Google Maps]