Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine

Overview

Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine is located in Konda, Habikino City, Osaka Prefecture, adjacent to the south of Emperor Ōjin's mausoleum. According to tradition, it was founded in 559 AD by Emperor Kinmei, who aimed to restore Imna (ancient kingdom in Korea), as a sacred shrine built in front of Emperor Ōjin's mausoleum, claiming it as the oldest Hachiman shrine. This location holds special significance as it's where Emperor Ōjin resided during his childhood; Empress Nakatsuhime, the daughter of Prince Honda no Wakamaro who governed this area, was also closely connected to Emperor Ōjin. During the Nara period, Gyōki founded Naganoyama Gokoku-ji Temple, a temple associated with the shrine, within the grounds. In 1051 AD (during the Heian period), the shrine was moved to its present location, about a cho (approximately 109 meters) south of its original site, and Emperor Go-Reizei paid a visit. Because the Hachiman deity was the guardian deity of the Minamoto clan, in 1196 AD, Minamoto no Yoritomo had the shrine repaired and donated national treasure-level items such as a palanquin. The 6th Shogun of the Muromachi bakufu, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, donated the important cultural properties "Konda Sōbyō Engi" and "Jingo Kōgō Engi". Thus, the shrine flourished, receiving the faith of successive shoguns of the Minamoto lineage and the warrior class. From the Northern and Southern Courts period to the Sengoku period, the shrine was protected by the Konda Mikawa Nyūdō clan, the head priests. However, from 1454 AD, the shrine buildings were burnt down and fell into ruin due to internal conflicts within the Hatakeyama clan, the governors of Kawachi Province. Some members of the Konda clan, descendants of Emperor Ōjin, who were destroyed by the Miyoshi clan, fled to Shikoku and Kyushu. In the Edo period, they are said to have reigned as the head of the *yashi* (street vendors) in the Kansai region. Oda Nobunaga, who controlled Kawachi Province, confiscated all the shrine's land holdings. Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated 200 *koku* (unit of land measurement) to rebuild the shrine, but it was destroyed by fire in 1586. Later, the 200 koku were transferred to Furumuro Village in Shiki County, Kawachi Province. In 1606, Toyotomi Hideyori appointed Katagiri Katsumoto as the construction overseer to rebuild the main shrine building (honden), middle gate (chūmon), and worship hall (haiden). However, due to the Siege of Osaka and the fall of the Toyotomi clan during the completion of the worship hall, the interior of the building remained unfinished. The Edo shogunate also guaranteed the 200 koku of land and repeatedly repaired the shrine buildings. Naganoyama Gokoku-ji Temple, the temple associated with the shrine, once boasted fifteen sub-temples (Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine had thirteen families of shrine officials). However, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and the destruction of Buddhist temples in the early Meiji period, buildings such as the main hall were demolished, leaving only the south gate. It is also ranked as a prefectural shrine. In the Meiji period, Naomase Momoi, known as a swordsman of the late Edo period, served as the chief priest. Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine is a place where history, culture, and nature harmoniously coexist, offering a serene and solemn atmosphere. We invite you to experience its charm.