Let's Look at the Folding Screen Painting at Sumiyoshi Taisha!

Hello, I'm SASYA. I've lived in Osaka for 35 years. Today, let's talk about Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is an old shrine in Osaka. People in Osaka affectionately call it 「すみよっさん」 (Sumiyossan).

The photo shows a 「びょうぶえ」 (byōbu-e), a painting on a folding screen, at Sumiyoshi Taisha. A 「びょうぶ」 is a large folding screen that can be folded up. The painting is drawn against a golden background.

The painting includes these things:

- たいこばし (taikobashi) = arched drum bridge

- とりい (torii) = shrine gate

- まつ (matsu) = pine tree

- ぎっしゃ (gissha) = ox-drawn carriage

- うし (ushi) = ox

「ぎっしゃ」 is a carriage pulled by an ox, used by nobles in the old days.

**Useful Expressions**

「たいこばしがあります。」

→ There is an arched bridge.

「うしがいます。」

→ There is an ox.

「すみよしたいしゃへようこそ。」

→ Welcome to Sumiyoshi Taisha.

**Small Point 1: 「あります」 and 「います」**

Use 「あります」 for things and plants.

- たいこばしがあります。 = There is an arched bridge.

- まつがあります。 = There is a pine tree.

Use 「います」 for people and animals.

- うしがいます。 = There is an ox.

- ひとがいます。 = There are people.

**Small Point 2: 「〜がかいてあります」**

「かいてあります」 means that someone drew something, and the result is still there.

- えにうしがかいてあります。 = An ox is painted in the picture.

- えにたいこばしがかいてあります。 = An arched bridge is painted in the picture.

**Small Point 3: 「〜へようこそ」**

「ようこそ」 is a word for welcoming someone who has arrived. It is used with the name of a place.

- すみよしたいしゃへようこそ。 = Welcome to Sumiyoshi Taisha.

- おおさかへようこそ。 = Welcome to Osaka.

When you look at paintings at shrines and temples, take your time and enjoy them.

If you study Japanese while enjoying Japanese culture, the words become easier to remember. In my Cafetalk lessons, we can practice Japanese you can use when traveling and learning about culture together. Please come and join me!