Isagawa Shrine is a historic Shinto shrine located in Honkomoricho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture. It has long been affectionately known as Komori Myojin, meaning a revered deity associated with the care and protection of children. The shrine is an auxiliary shrine located outside the main grounds of Omiwa Shrine. Its formal name is Isagawa ni Masu Omiwa no Mikogami no Yashiro, which refers to the shrine dedicated to the divine child of Omiwa.
Isagawa Shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho, a register of Shinto shrines compiled in 927. It is classified as a small shrine of the Engishiki system, with three principal deities enshrined within its grounds.
According to tradition, Isagawa Shrine was founded in 593, the first year of Empress Suiko’s reign. The shrine’s origins are attributed to Omiwa no Kimi Shirotsutsumi, who established worship of Himetataraisuzuhime-no-Mikoto by imperial command. She was the empress of Emperor Jinmu, traditionally regarded as Japan’s first emperor.
Because of its ancient origins, Isagawa Shrine is considered one of the oldest shrines in Nara City.
During the reign of Empress Gensho, the shrine’s present arrangement of three deities was established. Himetataraisuzuhime-no-Mikoto, the divine daughter figure, was enshrined in the central sanctuary. Her divine father, Sai-no-Okami, was placed in the sanctuary on the right, while her divine mother, Tamakushihime-no-Mikoto, was enshrined on the left.
This arrangement, with the divine parents flanking their daughter, forms the basis of the shrine’s longstanding association with childbirth, child-rearing, and the protection of families.
In 852, Emperor Montoku granted the shrine the court rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade. It was also provided with six households as shrine estates: four in the eastern capital area of Kyoto and two in Tango Province, in present-day northern Kyoto Prefecture.
In 1180, during the conflict known as the Burning of Nara, the Taira general Taira no Shigehira attacked the city’s major Buddhist institutions, and Isagawa Shrine’s buildings were destroyed in the ensuing destruction.
The shrine was rebuilt in 1190 with support from Kofuku-ji Temple and subsequently came under the temple’s administration. From the medieval period onward, it was managed by priests associated with Kasuga Wakamiya Shrine and was also known as Kasuga Saegusa Shrine.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), it was counted among the eleven outer shrines associated with Kasuga Taisha’s principal shrine complex. In 1877, an official directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs formally designated it an auxiliary shrine of Omiwa Shrine.
Isagawa Shrine’s reputation as Komori Myojin comes from the arrangement of its principal deities. Himetataraisuzuhime-no-Mikoto occupies the central sanctuary, with her divine parents enshrined beside her as if watching over their daughter.
This family-centered arrangement has inspired generations of worshippers to pray for safe childbirth, healthy children, and the well-being of their families. The shrine remains an important place of devotion for expectant parents and those seeking blessings for their children’s growth.
The river flowing south of the shrine is called the Isagawa River. In keeping with the shrine’s association with child protection, it is also known locally as Komori-gawa, or the Child-Protection River.
Central Sanctuary: Himetataraisuzuhime-no-Mikoto.
Right Sanctuary: Sai-no-Okami, the divine father.
Left Sanctuary: Tamakushihime-no-Mikoto, the divine mother.
The main shrine consists of three individual structures arranged side by side, each built in the traditional Kasuga-zukuri architectural style. This style is characterized by a compact sanctuary with a distinctive gabled roof and a projecting front entrance. The three buildings are connected by partitions.
Each sanctuary has a seven-step wooden staircase at the front, with ornamental balusters topped by decorative finials. The roofs are covered with hinoki cypress bark and adorned with chigi, forked roof ornaments, and katsuogi, short logs placed across the roof ridge.
The architectural features are believed to reflect building traditions from the early Edo period (the early 17th century), making the structures valuable examples of traditional shrine architecture.
All three main sanctuaries—the central, right, and left buildings—have been designated Tangible Cultural Properties by Nara Prefecture. Their distinctive arrangement and traditional construction preserve an important part of the region’s religious and architectural heritage.
The shrine grounds also include a worship hall, a Sumiyoshi Shrine, a Kasuga Shrine, a distinctive stone known as Kaeru-ishi, and the shrine office.
Sumiyoshi Shrine: Dedicated to the deities Sokotsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, Nakatsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, Uwatsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto, and Okinagatarashihime-no-Mikoto.
Kasuga Shrine: Dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto, Futsunushi-no-Mikoto, Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto, and Himegami.
Held annually on June 17, the Saegusa Festival is the shrine’s principal annual celebration and is widely known as the Lily Festival. The name Saegusa is traditionally associated with the sasa-yuri, or Japanese bamboo lily, which grows on Mount Miwa and has long been used in religious offerings.
The festival takes its name from the custom of presenting these lilies before the deities. Its ancient rituals and elegant procession make it one of Nara’s distinctive traditional religious events.
The festival preserves traditional ceremonial practices involving sacred sake, food offerings, and lilies.
Sacred sake: White sake is placed in vessels called son, while dark sake is placed in vessels known as hotogi. The vessels are surrounded by lily stems.
Food offerings: Prepared ritual foods, known as jukusen, are covered with oak leaves and placed on a traditional shelf made from unbarked wood.
Lily offerings: Lily flowers are arranged in large wooden tubs and presented before the deities.
The Saegusa Festival is associated with the ancient Chinamesai tradition, a ritual intended to ward off epidemics and protect the community from disease.
Following the religious ceremonies, a colorful procession takes place through the streets of Nara. Seven young women, known as nana-otome, carry lilies in a ritual inspired by traditions associated with Himetataraisuzuhime-no-Mikoto.
The festival is particularly significant because its ancient origins are also reflected in the Jingiryo, a historical code governing Shinto rites and ceremonies. Its survival offers a rare opportunity to experience the ceremonial traditions of early Japanese religious culture.
Isagawa Awa Shrine is one of the auxiliary shrines within the grounds of Isagawa Shrine. According to tradition, it was founded in 771 by the court official Fujiwara no Korekimi, who held the title of Grand Councillor.
The shrine is listed in the Engishiki Jinmyocho as a small shrine of the Engishiki system. Its principal deity is Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto, who is widely worshipped as Ebisu, a deity associated with prosperity, commerce, and good fortune.
Isagawa Awa Shrine fell into disuse for a time following repeated periods of warfare. It was revived during the Meiji period and moved to the grounds of Isagawa Shrine in 1920.
Following improvements to the shrine grounds in 1959, it was relocated to its present position alongside Sumiyoshi Shrine and Kasuga Shrine.
A stone lantern inscribed with the name Awa Shrine and the year 1803, corresponding to the third year of the Kyoho era, remains as a reminder of the shrine’s earlier history and former location.
The beauty of the Saegusa Festival has also attracted attention in Japanese literature. In his novel Runaway Horses (Honba), the celebrated author Yukio Mishima describes the festival through the character Honda, who expresses his admiration for the extraordinary beauty of the ceremony.
This literary reference reflects the festival’s enduring appeal, combining solemn religious traditions with the graceful beauty of its lily offerings and procession.
Take a Nara Kotsu bus and get off at the Honkomoricho bus stop. The shrine is just a short walk away.
From Kintetsu Nara Station: Exit through Exit 7-S and walk south along Yasuragi-no-Michi Street. The shrine is approximately a five-minute walk away.
From JR Nara Station: Leave through the east exit and walk for approximately eight minutes to reach the shrine.