Guide to Otori Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

鷲神社 (Otori Shrine) Shrines and Temples
鷲神社 (Otori Shrine)

This article is also available in Japanese. You can refer to it from here.

We will introduce Otori Shrine in Senzoku of Tokyo. Locals affectionately call this Shinto shrine “Otori-sama.” This shrine offers its annual festival named “Tori-no-ichi” which expects over 70,000 visitors every year.

This article contains helpful information for you to visit Otori Shrine. All the data is worth knowing, including its history, highlights, enshrined Shinto gods, benefits to worship, and access methods. Just reading this article will make this shrine more interesting to you.

History

According to the shrine, the history of Otori Shrine dates back to the Edo period. And it is closely related to the neighboring Chokokuji Temple.

In 1630, Nikken, a Buddhist monk of Jusenji Temple, founded Chokokuji Temple in the Asakusa area. Then, this temple moved to its current location near Shin-Yoshihara in 1669.

In 1771, Nichiren solicited Otori Daimyojin from Jusenji Temple of the Hokke sect to Chokokuji Temple. Since then, Otori Daimyojin of Chokokuji has gathered people’s worship under the Shinbutsu Shugo, an amalgamation of Buddhism with Shinto.

In 1868, Otori Daimyojin was separated from Chokokuji Temple because the Meiji government issued the Shinbutsu-Bunri policy to separate Buddhism from the Shinto belief. At that time, Otori Daimyojin changed its name to Otori Shrine.

Enshrined Gods and Their Blessings

Ame no Hiwashi no Kami (天日鷲神)

  • Other names: Oe no Kami (麻植神), etc.
  • Divinity: A god of hemp, cotton, spinning, etc.
  • Blessings: Industrial prosperity, good fortune, , etc.

Yamato Takeru no Mikoto (日本武尊)

  • Other names: Yamato Takeru no mikoto (倭建命), Ousu no mikoto (小碓命), etc.
  • Divinity: A Shinto god of war, agriculture, etc.
  • Blessings: National peace, huge harvest, prosperous business, successful career, good fortune, calamity prevention, etc.

Jurojin (寿老神)

  • Other name: Jurojin (寿老人)
  • Divinity: A Shinto god of longevity
  • Blessings: Longevity

Highlights

The Tori-no-Ichi Market

The Tori-no-Ichi market is an annual festival that wishes for prosperous business. And this market is held on Rooster Day every November. Otori Shrine has this market co-sponsored with the adjacent Chokokuji Temple. Some other Shinto shrines also hold Tori-no-Ichi markets, but one at Otori Shrine is the biggest. Wikipedia states that Otori Shrine expects 700,000 to 800,000 visitors each year.

The Tori-no-Ichi market has been around since the Edo period, and its origin is Hanahata Otori Shrine in Adachi-ku, Tokyo. According to this shrine, Yamato Takeru no Mikoto celebrated his victory here after conquering the East part of Japan’s main island.

Initially, farmers in this area held a harvest festival, and people combined the folklore of Yamato Takeru to the festival to become the Tori-ni-Ichi market.

There are two main reasons why the Tori-no-Ichi market at Asakusa’s Otori Shrine (Chokokuji Temple at that time) became popular during the Edo period. First, the location of the shrine was more convenient than Hanahata Owashi Shrine. Then there was a Shin-Yoshiwara Yukaku, the biggest legal red-light district in Japan, in the neighborhood of the shrine.

Usually, the Yoshiwara Daimon gate was the only entrance to the yukaku. But, on the Tori-no-Ichi market day, the yukaku provided some drawbridges over the moat around its property; people passed through the yukaku freely. As a result, many people had a good time after visiting the market.

The Gigantic Kumade Rake

At the Tori gate of the shrine, you will see a gigantic Kumade rake decorated on the wall. This Kumade rake is replaced with a new one at the Tori-no-Ichi market every year.

People in Japan believe that a Kumade rake is an auspicious object to bring fortune and money to its owner. For this reason, many business owners purchase a Kumade rake of various sizes at the Tori-no-Ichi market.

The Nade-Okame Face Statue

The giant Nade-Okame face statue is dedicated on the offering box of Otori Shrine. Nade means to stroke in Japanese, and Okame indicates Ame-no-Uzume, a goddess of performing arts according to the shrine.

By stroking her face, you can expect various benefits. But, what you can expect depends on which part of the face you stroke. The official Website says the following:

  • The forehead: You will be a wiser
  • The eyes: You will be far-sighted
  • The nose: You will be richer
  • The right cheek: You will succeed in love
  • The left cheek: You will get healthier
  • The mouth: You can protect yourself from calamities
  • The chin: Everything goes well (Note: You need to stroke the face clockwise starting from the chin)

By the way, when you put money into the offering box, you can do it from her eyes.

The Kanai-Dori Bird

Many Kanai-Dori birds are dedicated next to the worship hall of Otori Shrine. The Kanai-Dori bird is a small bird doll. Kanai means make your wish come true, and Dori means a bird in this case.

Unlike other Shinto shrines, this shrine offers you this bird dolls instead of Ema votive tablets. When you want to make a wish to a god, write down your wish on a piece of paper, then put the paper into the bird. So you do not have to worry about other people know your wish.

The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa (Jurojin)

Otori Shrine enshrines Jurojin of the seven lucky gods, a Shinto god of longevity. Therefore, you can expect longevity and other benefits by worshipping him.

Jurojin at Otori Shrine is one of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa. The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa refer to the seven lucky gods enshrined at nine Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Taito Ward and Arakawa Ward of Tokyo. Therefore, making a pilgrimage to these nine sites is one good example of enjoying the Asakusa area.

For more information about the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa, please refer to the following article:

The Eight Lucky Gods of Tokyo Shitamachi (Prosperous Business)

Otori Shrine is one of the Eight Lucky Gods of Tokyo Shitamachi. The Eight Lucky Gods of Tokyo Shitamachi refers to eight Shinto shrines in Chuo Ward and Taito Ward of Tokyo. Each shrine brings you a different benefit when you warship them. You can expect prosperous business from Otori Shrine.

The concept of the Eight Lucky Gods of Tokyo Shitamachi was introduced in 1981 as a part of the regional revitalization projects of Tokyo. You can enjoy historic sites and feel the atmosphere of the Shitamachi area of Tokyo while you are making your pilgrimage.

For more information about the Eight Lucky Gods of Tokyo Shitamachi, please refer to the following article:

Other Useful Information

Opening Hours

  • Unknown

TEL

  • 03-3876-0010

Address

  • Senzoku 3-18-7, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0031

Google Map

Public Transport (Train)

  • 10 minutes on foot from Iriya Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
  • 10 minutes on foot from Minowa Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

Public Transport (Bus)

  • 3 minutes on foot from Senzoku Bus Stop on the Toei Bus Route T08 (都 08).
  • 3 minutes on foot from Taito Byoin Hospital Bus Stop on Kita-Megurin Asakusa route of Taito City Circular Route Bus.

Public Restroom Availability

  • Yes

Reference

English - 浅草 鷲神社公式ホームページ
酉の市 起源発祥 浅草 鷲神社の公式ホームページへようこそ
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