Languages

Kitamuki Jizoson

Kitamuki Jizoson

The Kitamuki Jizoson began in 1891 when the landowner built a north-facing hall and began worshiping an item that had been dug out of the fields around here and become an object of faith. When the “ojizo-san” (guardian deity of children) is facing north (= “Kitamuki”), this means that is sitting in the position considered to be the lower seat, so it is most common for ojizo-san statues to face south. However, it is said that the Kitamuki Jizoson was placed facing north on purpose, from a desire to get close to the people and to hear their wishes and concerns, in order to help the people who visited to pray. There are very few north-facing ojizo-san statues in Japan, possibly only around 400 of them. The hall was relocated to its current position in 1969 when the “Hankyu Sanban Gai” shopping center came into being as part of the construction work for the relocation and expansion of the Hankyu Umeda Station from 1966. This meant that the hall had to be moved 50 meters to the west.

Cartoons on history

Cartoon on the history of Kitamuki Jizoson 1

Map of historical sites

Discover History!
Umeda Higashi Trivia Walk

The Kitamuki Jizoson originally watched over an Umeda graveyard!?

トリビアウメシバくん

It is very difficult to imagine it from the current state of Umeda, but if we examine maps from around 1888, the whole area north of the JR Osaka Station was a graveyard called the “Umeda Graveyard.”
It is thought that the ojizo-san that was dug out of the ground was originally one placed close to this Umeda Graveyard. There is also a theory that another reason for placing it facing north was from a wish to have it look over the people buried in the graveyard.

The Kitamuki Jizoson has been previously relocated to Suita City!?

トリビアウメシバくん

Actually, the Kitamuki Jizoson was relocated to Suita City in the past.
It is said that it was temporarily relocated to the Manpukuji Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple in Senriyama, Suita City in 1968. This is because it had been decided to create the “Hankyu Sanban Gai” shopping center and the Hankyu Railway company had a connection to the temple.

What are the festivals held on August 23rd and 24th?

トリビアウメシバくん

On the 23rd and 24th of August each year, a memorial festival is held which is mainly led by the Hankyu Sanban Gai Kitamuki Jizoson support association. An altar is placed in front of the ojizo-san on these days and filled with many offerings.
On August 23rd, a festival called the “Goma Kuyo” (fire ritual) festival is held. The “Gomadaki” (stick burning) is performed by a Kumano Shugendo party from the Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine in Wakayama Prefecture and prayers are said for protective charms.
On the following day, on August 24th, the “Urabon Kuyo” festival (Jizo Bon Grand Festival) memorial service for ancestors is held. The chief priest of the Taiyu-ji Shingon Buddhism temple conducts the awe-inspiring memorial service as the visitors watch. The visitors can receive a protective charm that has been prayed for.