Momotaro Shrine, Inuyama, Shinto shrine in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Momotaro-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Inuyama dedicated to the legendary Peach Boy from Japanese folklore. The grounds feature traditional shrine buildings, altars, and structures decorated with references to this popular folk character.
A shrine to the "peach god" once stood at the foot of Mount Momo on the left bank of the Kiso River; in 1930 it was moved about 1 km south and became Momotaro Shrine. The Kojiki relates that the deity Ōkamuzumi no mikoto, born of the peaches Izanagi threw at the Shikome witches, settled on Mount Momo after quelling demons in central Japan. The treasure hall burned in 1996 and was rebuilt opposite its old site.
The pink peach-shaped torii at the haiden carries an inscription whose words saru (monkey), inu (dog) and kiji (pheasant) are hidden in the phrase: passing through it is said to drive off evil, illness and disaster. On 5 May, Children's Day, the Momotaro festival features a mikoshi carried by children dressed as Momotaro, holding a pink peach statue instead of a miniature shrine. The dance performed, the Momotaro ondo, was written by Noguchi Ujo.
From the road, pass through the first torii, then the second, before climbing the stone steps to the peach-shaped torii and haiden. A free car park sits in front of the first torii; souvenir shops charge for parking, but a large free car park lies down by the river. By public transport, Inuyama-Yūen Station on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line is about 10 minutes by taxi, or over 30 minutes on foot.
The shrine's treasure hall, destroyed by fire in 1996, was rebuilt across from the old site; it displays objects meant to prove Momotarō came from Inuyama, including the peach he was born from and a photo of a demon baby. The old hall's demon skull with horns survives only in photographs.
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