The foundation of Taga Taisha is unknown. It is mentioned in the ancient Kojiki and Nihon Shoki chronicles from 712 AD.[1] The shrine's legend connects it with the legendary hero Yamato Takeru, whose son, Inugami no Mitasuki was sent as an emissary to Sui China in 614 AD and the first Japanese embassy to Tang China in 630 AD. He was also the ancestor of the Inukami clan, from which Inukami District, Shiga (where the shrine is located) takes its name. However, in the 914 AD Engishiki records, it is listed only as a small shrine. From the Heian period it was revered as having efficiency for childbirth, vocational aid, fire extinguishing and longevity. During then Muromachi period, as pilgrimages to the Ise Grand Shrine and the Kumano Sanzan gained in popularity, pilgrims were encouraged to visit Taga Shrine as part of the route. In the Sengoku period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had a strong faith in this shrine and frequently prayed for an extension of his mother's life. He donated 10,000 koku, or the equivalent revenue of one year for a daimyō for its reconstruction and upkeep.[1]
The shrine was destroyed by a fire in 1615, but was rebuilt immediately by ShogunTokugawa Hidetada and reconstructed in 1633 by Tokugawa Iemitsu. In 1651, Ii Naotaka of Hikone Domain granted it estates of 150 koku for its upkeep. However, much of the shrine was destroyed again by fire in 1733, and by a storm in 1791. Each time, it was rebuilt with the assistance of the Tokugawa shogunate and Hikone Domain.
Many of the shrine's buildings are Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Taga Town.[4]
Festivals
Korei-taisai (古例大祭): Most important festival held on April 22. Also known as Taga-matsuri (多賀まつり).
Otaue-sai (御田植祭): A festival of planting rice with traditional rites held on June 7.
Mantō-sai (万灯祭): A lantern festival held on the night of August 3–5.
Specialty goods
Otaga-shakushi (お多賀杓子): A talisman shakushi (Japanese ladle) from the reign of Empress Genshō. Allegedly the origin of the Japanese word otamajakushi.[1]
