Koromo Shrine
Koromo Shrine in central Toyota has played a significant role in the spiritual and social lives of residents for centuries. The shrine is believed to have been established in the twelfth century. It was patronized by the local daimyo lords and revered by their subjects throughout the Edo period (1603–1867). Though frequented by worshipers year round, it is busiest during the annual Koromo Festival, when giant floats are displayed on the shrine grounds and paraded through the city.
According to legend, Koromo Shrine’s predecessor was founded by a samurai who received word that his master had died while passing through the area. The warrior decided to relinquish his duties and live out his life in peace and quiet. He built a shrine to Mikumari, the goddess of water, because this deity was worshiped at his home in Yoshino (present-day Nara Prefecture) and because his new shrine stood next to a river. Throughout Japan, veneration of Mikumari was often complemented by worship of Komori, the guardian of children, perhaps because the two names sound somewhat similar. The shrine takes its name from the Koromo domain, the old name for Toyota and the rest of the eastern part of present-day Aichi Prefecture.
Koromo Shrine is still affiliated with the Komori deity and functions as a protector of children. Many people bring their children to the shrine for rituals such as miyamairi, a rite of passage for newborns, and shichi-go-san, a celebration of the growth and health of children aged three, five, and seven. In addition to the main shrine, there are sub-shrines for deities including Inari, the god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity; Tenjin, the patron of scholarship and the arts; and Akiba, the deity of fire.
The flamboyant Koromo Festival takes place at the shrine only once a year, on the third weekend of October, but there is a smaller monthly festival that originally celebrated Yakushi, the Buddha of medicine and healing. On the eighth day of the month, vendors dealing in potted plants, clothing, daily essentials, and food and drink set up more than 100 stalls on the shrine grounds.
