Hirota Shrine

This shrine is situated on the same street of Imamiya Ebisu shrine. Imamiya Ebisu is so outstanding that I am sorry that this shrine does not seem to be known widely. But this shrine has a long-​standing history and its origin dates back to the period of Empress Jingu. One of the deities, Sakahikonanomikoto is enshrined, who is considered as a deity of wisdom and local place and visits here boarding a stingray called «ei «or «akaei» in Japanese language. The word «ei» is similar to «eichi”(wisdom) and a lot of students or applicants come here to pray for their success in entrance examinations or improvement of their scholarship.
In addition this shrine is famous for the profits of recovering from illness, especially hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid is literally read as «Ji» in Japanese. «Ji» has another meaning of «local place», but is not written in the same Chinese character. So patients suffering from hemorrhoids may visit this shrine wishing for recovery. Also votive picture tablets called Ema with the picture of a stingray are hung in the precincts of the shrine. I read the story of the stingray related with this shrine at the entrance interestingly.