Abe Oji Shrine
Abe Oji Shrine is said to have been founded by Emperor Nintoku, as per the Abe Gongen Engi. Another theory suggests that it was established by the Abe clan, who had their stronghold in Abeno since ancient times.
In the early Heian period, the monk Kobo Daishi Kukai performed a prayer ritual here to ward off an epidemic by imperial order of Emperor Junna. During the late Heian period, as the Kumano faith rose in prominence, numerous Oji shrines were established along the route from Kyoto to Wakayama, known collectively as the Kumano Ninety-nine Oji Shrines (Kumano Kyu-ju-kyu Ōji), and this shrine became known as Abeno Oji. Despite various changes due to the conflicts during and after the Nanboku-cho period, it continued to be revered as the guardian deity of Abeno and was referred to as Kumano’s Second Oji (Kumano Daini Ōji) during the Edo period.
In the Meiji era, the shrine was renamed Oe Shrine and became a village shrine. In 1908, it merged with Otokoyama Hachiman Shrine, previously located in Azuchi-machi of the old Higashi Ward and was renamed Oe Hachiman Shrine. However, in 1911, it reverted to its current name, Abe Oji Shrine, and became a district shrine in 1913. In 1970, the shrine pavilion and worship hall were constructed, and the sacred area was maintained, making it the only surviving Oji shrine in Osaka Prefecture at its original location.
9-4 Avenomotomachi Aveno-ku,
Osaka City, Osaka 545-0034
TEL: 06-6622-2565
