Taga-taisha

Taga-taisha
多賀大社
Taga-taisha; 多賀大社
	Honden of Taga-taisha
Website
	http://www.tagataisya.or.jp/

Taga-taisha (多賀大社) is a Shinto shrine located in Taga, Shiga Prefecture, Japan dedicated to Izanagi and Izanami. It is associated with long life, successful marriage and good fortune. The shrine is frequently referred to as O-taga-san (お多賀さん) by local residents. The gardens of the inner shoin are a nationally-designated Place of Scenic Beauty.^[1]

History

This ancient shrine is old to have been mentioned in the Kojiki. According to that text it dates from 620, having been built during a time when Buddhism and Shinto were both doing very well. It contains both a Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine. The shrine has beautiful garden and a stone bridge, which were constructed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi as an offering for his mother's long life. It is next to the study attached to the Shrine offices.

Festivals

Korei-taisai (古例大祭): Most important festival held on April 23. Also known as Taga-matsuri (多賀まつり).
Otaue-sai (御田植祭): A festival of planting rice with traditional rites held on June 7.
Mantō-sai (万灯祭): A lantern festival held on the night of August 3-5.

Specialty goods

Otaga-shakushi (お多賀杓子): A talisman shakushi (Japanese ladle) from the reign of Empress Genshō. Allegedly the origin of the Japanese word otamajakushi.
Itokiri-mochi (糸切餅): A Japanese sweet made of mochi rice sold at souvenir shops around the shrine. Itokiri-mochi was first made to celebrate the Japanese victory over the Mongols.^{[citation needed]}