A picture postcard from 1930. At the time, footholds were created in bridges by making holes in them. There is a story that tells of the poetess Yosano Akiko getting her _geta_ caught in one of the holes and pulling herself to the top by gripping the handrail. Kawabata Yasunari also wrote of crossing the bridge in his autobiographical novel, _Soribashi_. 　 "Chart of Noted Sites in Settsu" is a diagram depicting the area around Sumiyoshi Shrine in the Edo Period (1796-1798). From this, one can see that the immediate vicinity was once all ocean. 　 The more than 620 stone lanterns of all sizes that were donated by shipping agents and marine transport operators as offerings to the god of sailing are especially striking. 　 　 In "Pictures of Scenic Spots in Sumiyoshi" (1794), one can see miniature shrines being carried over the arched bridge. This ceremony continued to be staged until just a few years ago, but is no longer performed due to a shortage of people willing to shoulder the shrines. It is hoped that the ceremony will one day make a comeback.