About
In a corner of Asakusabashi, a downtown area of Tokyo, there is a small shrine standing quietly. Its name is Jinnai Shrine. Stepping just one foot away from the bustle of the city, you find yourself in a tranquil space where the flow of time seems to slow down.
It is said that this shrine was founded in the early Edo period. The enshrined deity is Kosaka Jinnai. He is said to be either the son or grandson of Kosaka Danjo Masanobu, a retainer of the Takeda clan, though there are various theories about his origins. After the fall of his lord’s house, he worked in Edo City, wishing for the restoration of the Takeda clan, but while suffering from malaria, he was captured by the shogunate. At the time of his execution, he is said to have left the words, “If not for my malaria, what would you have arrested me for? I will keep my spirit here for a long time, and if those suffering from malaria pray to me, I will grant them recovery.” These words deeply moved people, and a shrine was built to worship him as a god of recovery from malaria. (tesshow.jp)
Upon entering the shrine grounds, the first thing you see is a small torii gate and the shrine building. Surrounded by residential houses, it is located in the city, yet only here does a unique tranquility linger, as if it were another world. In front of the shrine building, there is an offertory box for worshippers to put their hands together in prayer, and above it is engraved the Mitsuhiki-ryo crest. This is the family crest of the Kosaka family, conveying his pride as a samurai to the present day. (ameblo.jp)
It is said that the Torigoe River once flowed around the shrine. One of the bridges that crossed the river was called “Jinnai Bridge,” named after the shrine. Today, the river has become an underground channel and the bridge has disappeared, but its memory remains engraved on a small monument as the “Jinnai Bridge Ruins.” This place, which evokes the passage of history, radiates a mysterious charm where past and present intersect. (tesshow.jp)
Every year on August 12th, the anniversary of Jinnai’s death, many people visit this shrine. Some pray for recovery from malaria, others reflect on history, each quietly putting their hands together with their own thoughts in mind. For people seeking a moment of peace amid the city’s hustle and bustle, this place serves as a spiritual refuge.
Jinnai Shrine may not have splendor or grandeur. However, within its small precincts, the history of Edo and the faith of its people are alive. In a corner of the city, this shrine, quietly marking the passage of time, offers a quiet sense of inspiration to those who visit.