Sumiyoshi Shrine is a shrine dedicated to safe travel by sea. Officials and travelers going from Yamato to Korea and China would visit the main shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha, in Naniwa (Osaka) as a start of their pilgrimage. The travelers would then visit other Sumiyoshi Shrines along the Seto Inland Sea until their departure from the port at Hakata. This shrine at Hakata would be the last shrine they prayed at before they left land.
In ancient times, this shrine was ranked as one the highest
shrines. It was noted as one of the greatest shrines in the Chikuzen area
(present day Fukuoka prefecture). The area surrounding the shrine was
originally a cape at the mouth of Nakagawa River as it entered into Hakata bay.
The shrine is dedicated to the gods (kami) of
Sokotsutsuo-no-kami, Nakatsutsuo-no-kami and Uwatsutsuo-no-kami. These kami are
associated with safe sea faring. Legendary Empress Jingu is now enshrined here
as legend tells of the oracles the Empress received from the Sumiyoshi-kami
before her conquest of Korea in the 2nd century. There is no record
of this conquest ever happening; it is most likely an embellishment of the
history of the Empress. The three kami originated from an undersea dragon king
associated with other cultures. There are minor shrines to Amaterasu and Ebisu
on the shrine grounds. Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun and Ebisu is the god
of fishermen.
Although the shrine is home to gods worshipped for
protecting travelers since ancient times, it became known for promoting Waka
poetry since the middle ages. The main hall is a designated cultural property
of importance. The site is also a source for designated national treasures
including a copper axe and sword.
The main hall was rebuilt in 1623 by Kuroda Nagamasa, the
first lord of the Fukuoka clan. The shrines straight shaped roof of the main
hall retains features of the ancient architectural style, in direct contrast to
later Buddhist style halls. The shrine is home to a Noh theater with a classic
stage setting which has been in use for Noh plays since it was built before
World War II. The shrine is also home to a hoard of ancient documents that
illustrate the history of the shrine and Hakata from the middles ages to the
present day.
3-1-51, Sumiyoshi
Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
TEL 092-291-2670
FAX 092-291-2669
Map code 13289837*12
By bus – Take Nishitetsu bus and get off at Sumiyoshi
stop.
