The Aoi festivities, which last the whole month, are overseen by a symbolic ‘Saio-dai’ who is chosen to represent the imperial princess who was once attached to the Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. It’s supposed to be a great honour, and … Read the rest
Category: Kyoto shrines (Page 1 of 28)
Most people who think of Kyoto and festival will bring to mind the month-long Gion Matsuri, an event of ancient origins which displays much of the craftsmanship that makes the old capital special.
But there is another month-long festival in … Read the rest
Cherry blossom has arrived in Kyoto! The trees along the Kamogawa are out in glorious bloom, and people are flocking to the petals in Hirano Jinja, Kyoto’s special shrine for cherry blossom. Today was a fine day for the emerging … Read the rest
Yes, it’s that time of year again. Cherry blossom heaven has broken out in Kyoto. Over a hundred years earlier Lafcadio Hearn was one of the first foreigners to remark on the beauty of the occasion.
Hearn’s first shrine visit … Read the rest
A month has passed since New Year, so I was surprised to find Shimogamo bustling with visitors despite the cold of a 7C afternoon. There has … Read the rest
Regular readers of this blog will know that our local shrine is the World Heritage site of Shimogamo Jinja in Kyoto. Over the more than thirty years I have … Read the rest
The above angry dragon was displayed at Shimogamo Jinja prior to the change of year and seems very apt in retrospect, given the awful earthquake at the very outset of the year, Jan 1, in the Hokuriku area (Kanazawa and … Read the rest