“Samuhara Shrine: Shinto Site with Mystic Protective Relic”

 

     “Samuhara” is a mystic phrase as Google Map implies in the shrine’s name.

     Some argue Samuhara was deprived from samvara in Sanscrit.  Others say the phrase was from sal-ala in Korean.

     Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) claimed he returned from Korea to Japan safe thanks to the phrase carved on his sword.

     In 1782, a farmer shot a pheasant with an arrow, but it didn't hit it.  Furthermore, it didn't even try to escape.  Other better archers competed in vain.  When they barely caught the pheasant, they found the phrase Samuhara on its back.

     In 1799, a crane was caught in Fukuoka, and the phrase "Samuhara" was found on the wings of the crane.  As a crane was believed to be a sign of longevity, people carried the phrase written on a strup of paper.

     Modern cases can be found on the signboards of the shrine.

Samuhara Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-5-26 Itachibori, Nishi Ward, Osaka, 550-0012

Phone: 06-6538-2251

Samuhara Talisman Distribution Office

Address: 4 Chome-6-10 Hiranomachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 541-0046

Phone: 06-6538-2251

Samuhara Shrine Okunomiya

Address: 900-3 Kamocho Nakabara, Tsuyama, Okayama 709-3931

Phone: 06-6231-3481