The gate beside the First Sanctuary
Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate (住吉大社南瑞籬門, Minami Mizugaki-mon) is a late Edo-period four-legged gate at the southern end of the rear of the main sanctuary of Sumiyoshi Taisha in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, moved to its present site in 1963 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2018/05/10. It has a gabled copper roof and is 4.4 metres wide.
It stands beside the First Sanctuary, the rearmost of the four main halls, and with the North Mizugaki Gate it guards the back of the enclosure. Just south of the main halls lies Gosho Gozen, said to be where the Sumiyoshi gods were first worshipped, and the gate is close by.
Old form, forceful carving
The official description notes that the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate follows older practice, with plain block-and-bracket supports and a rainbow beam carrying a frog-leg strut in the gable. What it singles out is the carving on the beams and nosings: restrained in outline, but very thick and powerful, expressing the taste of its time.
The carving in question is the pattern of scrolls and young leaves cut into the faces of the beams and the projecting ends. Nothing here is showy, but the lines are heavy. The weight typical of late Edo building comes through in the depth of the carving rather than in any change of form, a gate that kept the old rules and left its own period's hand in the detail.
It matches the northern gate in size and form; both stand beside the First Sanctuary at the historic centre of the grounds. It was built in the late Edo period and moved to its present position with the northern gate in 1963.
What to look for, and visiting
Nosings (kibana) are the carved ends of beams projecting past the posts. Look at the ends sticking out above the posts and at the face of the gable beam: the thick scroll lines read clearly even from a few steps back.
Walk along the south side of the sanctuary and the gate appears beyond the fence of Gosho Gozen. The Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate can be seen freely during opening hours, at no charge; follow on-site signs about passing through. Opening hours and directions are on the Sumiyoshi Taisha page.
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Q&A
- Where is the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate?
- At the southern corner behind the main sanctuary, beside the First Sanctuary and near Gosho Gozen.
- What is special about the South Mizugaki Gate?
- The carving on its beams and nosings: modest in outline but cut with very thick, forceful lines typical of the late Edo period.
- When was the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate built?
- In the late Edo period. It was moved to its present site in 1963 and registered on 2018/05/10.
- Is it identical to the North Mizugaki Gate?
- Officially yes in size and form; the two were built as a pair to guard the back of the sanctuary.
- Can visitors see the Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate?
- Yes, from outside during opening hours, free of charge.
Basic Information
| Name | Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate (住吉大社南瑞籬門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 27-739 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2018/05/10 (Heisei 30) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber four-legged gate, gabled copper roof; 4.4 metres wide |
| Owner | Sumiyoshi Taisha (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Exterior visible during shrine hours; no charge |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Sumiyoshi Taisha South Mizugaki Gate
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012413
- Osaka Prefecture — Designation report on Sumiyoshi Taisha, with a list of its protected buildings (Japanese)
- https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/26540/01_sumiyoshitaisya_sitei.pdf
- Sumiyoshi Taisha official site — Architecture
- https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/about/architect.html
- Sumiyoshi Taisha official site — Highlights
- https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/grounds/highlights.html
Last verified: 2026.10.01
