About
In a corner of Nihonbashi Hakozakicho, just a step away from the bustle of modern life, a tranquility that transcends the flow of time unfolds. Nestled quietly in the valley of the city, surrounded by towering buildings, stands a small shrine. This is the Takao Inari Shrine.
This shrine enshrines the renowned courtesan of the Edo period, the second-generation Takao Dayu. She was born to a farming family in Shiobara, Shimotsuke Province, and after losing her parents at a young age, was raised by relatives. Her beauty and intelligence caught the attention of Miuraya in Yoshiwara, where she made a brilliant debut as the second-generation Takao Dayu. Excelling in waka poetry and haikai, and skilled in calligraphy, she captivated many people.
However, her fate was tragic. Her destiny was sealed when she refused a proposal for redemption from Tsunamune Date, the lord of the Sendai domain, saying she had someone she loved. Enraged, Tsunamune is said to have hung her on a boat at the confluence of the Sumida River and killed her with a sword, then cast her body into the river. According to legend, her body drifted to this place several days later, where a monk living in a nearby hermitage gave her a respectful burial. Afterwards, moved by sympathy and respect, people built this shrine to console her spirit.
Stepping into the shrine grounds, the city's clamor seems to vanish as if it were a lie, replaced by an air of silence and reverence. It is said that her skull is enshrined as the sacred object in the small main hall, making it a rare existence even nationwide. For this reason, people suffering from headaches, thinning hair, and other head-related concerns have visited to offer prayers. In the past, there was a custom of borrowing a comb from the shrine, combing one's hair with it morning and evening while praying, and when the wish was fulfilled, dedicating a new comb in return.
Additionally, inspired by her chastity and strong will, the shrine is believed to bring a wide range of blessings, including matchmaking, marital harmony, business prosperity, academic success, improvement in arts, beauty, and self-improvement. In particular, it is deeply revered by women working in the nighttime hospitality industry, with many finding encouragement in her way of life.
Even though it is surrounded by modern buildings, Takao Inari Shrine alone seems to stand still in time. Taking a moment away from the city's noise to reflect on her tragedy and beauty leaves a deep impression on visitors' hearts. In this place, where the atmosphere of Edo and the feelings of people are alive, the past and present quietly intersect.