[2] In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan.

[4] From 1871 through 1946, Sumiyoshi taisha was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.

[6] A member of a powerful family in the area, he was given the clan name of Owari by the empress when she visited the coast of the Gokishichidō (Modern Shichidou in Sakai, Osaka).

Sumiyoshi-taisha is a shrine with connections to the ancient Yamato royalty's diplomacy and sailing, protecting the Imperial embassies to China.

Suminoe no Tsu is the oldest international port in Japan, and was opened by Emperor Nintoku.

Although Sumiyoshi taisha is currently completely landlocked, until the Edo period, the shrine riding grounds (currently Sumiyoshi Park) faced the sea and were considered the representative of the beautiful "hakushaseishou" (white sand and green pines) landscape.

In Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, the shrine is used as an important stage in some chapters concerning the Akashi Lady.

It is unusual in that the middle bar does not extend outside of the vertical posts, and all pieces have square edges.