#osugishrine

[pix4japan]

Gold Tengu Fans and Arabesque Vines: The Ornate Torii of Ōsugi-jinja 天狗の羽団扇と唐草・大杉神社の「二の鳥居」

This torii is officially known as the Second Torii Gate (二の鳥居) and stands near the main entrance to Ōsugi-jinja Shrine (大杉神社) in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

These fans are associated with the tengu (天狗), supernatural beings that occupy an interesting space where Buddhist and Shinto traditions merged practically and philosophically between the 6th and 19th centuries.

Read my full write-up (1-minute read) with links to Google Maps and sources for a deeper dive: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi

Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:36 Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone 15 mm ISO 100 for 1/60 sec. at ƒ/2.8

[pix4japan]

Phoenix and Peonies: The Ornate Torii of Ōsugi-jinja｜鳳凰と牡丹・大杉神社の華麗な鳥居

The torii closest to the parking lot at Ōsugi-jinja Shrine (大杉神社) in Ibaraki Prefecture is far from the usual vermilion. Its black-lacquered metal surface is decorated with glossy green and turquoise peony-and-arabesque patterns, along with stylized phoenix motifs.

Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:31 Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone 15 mm ISO 200 for 1/60 sec. at ƒ/2.8

Read my full write-up (1-minute read) with links to Google Maps and sources for a deeper dive: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi

[pix4japan]

A Rain-Washed Path to Prosperity・雨に濡れた開運の参道

The formal name of this Inari shrine is Saishō Risshin Shusse Inari Jinja (最勝立身出世稲荷神社), which carries an auspicious meaning: saishō (最勝) suggests supreme excellence or victory, while risshin shusse (立身出世) refers to achieving success, advancing in one’s career, and rising in society.

The deity enshrined here is therefore believed to grant blessings for prosperity, financial fortune, career advancement, and success in competitive pursuits.

Although the shrine’s exact founding date does not appear to be clearly recorded, it has a long history as a subsidiary shrine within the grounds of Ōsugi Shrine. Ōsugi Shrine itself is known for enshrining the Great Deity of Dream Fulfillment (夢むすび大明神), making this quiet Inari shrine a particularly fitting place to pray for ambitions, opportunities, and future success.

Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan

Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:24

Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone

15 mm ISO 100 for 13.0 sec. at ƒ/14

Google Maps Links and sources for a deeper dive: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi

[pix4japan]

Guardians in the Rain・雨に佇む稲荷の守り狐

After photographing the Jiro-sugi cedar (see previous post), I made my way toward one of the entrances to the Ōsugi-jinja grounds. There, I came across two stone Inari fox statues flanking a monument at one of the shrine’s many smaller sub-shrines.

In Shinto tradition, kitsune are regarded as messengers of Inari, a deity associated with rice, agriculture, prosperity, and abundant harvests. One explanation for this connection is that foxes hunted rodents in rice paddies, indirectly helping to protect the valuable crop. The red bibs often placed on Inari fox statues are also associated with protection from illness and misfortune, reinforcing their role as spiritual guardians.

Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan

Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:18

Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone

15 mm ISO 100 for 1/10 sec. at ƒ/2.4

Google Maps Links and sources for a deeper dive: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi

[pix4japan]

Jiro-sugi Cedar Tree・次郎杉

While traveling to a client’s property in central Ibaraki Prefecture, with Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) approaching the Kanto Plain, I stopped at Osugi-jinja (大杉神社), a Shinto shrine in the small city of Inashiki.

Near the parking lot, where heavy rain had already formed large pools of water, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the towering Jiro-sugi, a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) said to reach approximately 40 meters (131 feet) into the sky.

I would not normally recommend heading out for a dawn photo shoot as a typhoon approaches. However, rain can deepen the colors of shrine buildings, particularly structures painted in vermilion, while wet stone, wood, and foliage take on a richer appearance.

Under the dim, overcast morning sky, I hoped to capture something atmospheric and moody. The rain certainly helped, but it also left its mark on the photograph, with several large droplets visible across the lens.

Location: Inashiki, Ibaraki Pref., Japan

Timestamp: 2026/06/03・06:08

Pentax K-1 II + Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone

15 mm ISO 100 for 0.8 sec. at ƒ/14

Google Maps Links and sources for a deeper dive: https://www.pix4japan.com/blog/20260603-osugi