Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, located in Ebisunishi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, is widely loved as the shrine of “Ebessan,” the god of prosperous business. Its founding is said to date back to around 600 CE, during the reign of Empress Suiko, and it is believed to have begun when Prince Shotoku enshrined it as a guardian deity for the western side of Shitenno-ji Temple.

The main sanctuary enshrines five deities: Amaterasu Omikami, Kotoshironushi no Mikoto (Ebisu), Susanoo no Mikoto, Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, and Wakahirume no Mikoto. Within the shrine grounds, Daikoku Shrine enshrines Okuninushi no Mikoto and the Five Male and Three Female Deities, while Inari Shrine enshrines Uga no Mitama no Kami.

The principal deity, Kotoshironushi no Mikoto, also known as “Ebisu-sama,” was originally regarded as a guardian deity of fishing. He is often depicted holding a fishing rod in his right hand and a sea bream in his left, and has long been worshipped as a god who brings blessings from the sea and good fortune. The area where the shrine stands was once located by the seashore, where a market was held to gather seafood, agricultural products, and wild produce, and Ebisu-sama was also enshrined as the guardian deity of that market.

As time passed, Ebisu-sama came to be worshipped as a god of good fortune and commercial prosperity. In particular, he was deeply revered by Osaka merchants during the Edo period. It was during this time that Toka Ebisu, the grand New Year festival that continues today, became widely celebrated. Over the three days of January 9, Yoi-Ebisu; January 10, Hon-Ebisu; and January 11, Nokori-Fuku, more than one million visitors from all over Japan come to pray. With the cheerful cry of “Bring your bamboo for prosperous business!” people decorate lucky bamboo with auspicious ornaments called kiccho, and celebrate the New Year in hopes of receiving good fortune.

At Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, there is also a custom known as “ura-mairi,” in which worshippers, after praying from the front, go around to the back of the shrine buildings and lightly tap the boards to reinforce their wishes. This tradition reflects the distinctly Osaka spirit of popular faith that continues to live on today.

From ancient times to the present, Imamiya Ebisu Shrine has remained deeply connected to Osaka’s commerce and continues to attract the devotion of many people. The wish for prosperous business and lasting good fortune has been handed down across the ages.