Kyoto has so many treasures it would take more than a single lifetime to get to see them all. Though I’ve lived here for 20 years and written a book about the city, I’d not come across Umenomiya Taisha over … Read the rest
Category: Kyoto shrines (Page 12 of 28)
Green Shinto has posted recently on the financial woes of certain shrines in Kyoto. The terrible state of Shimogoryo Jinja was noted. The decision of Shimogamo Jinja to build an apartment block next to the sacred woods of Tadasu … Read the rest
Those of us who live in Kyoto are aware of two vital clans in the river basin’s early history – the Hata and the Kamo. They played a decisive role in the religious development of the area, and their legacy … Read the rest
This weekend sees the annual festival of Shimogoryo Shrine, just to the south of the Former Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It’s notable for having eight deified kami, known as the Hassho-goryo (eight angry spirits). Pacifying the spirits of those who … Read the rest
Yesterday Kyoto’s Aoi Festival took place, and since I’ve seen the festival several times I thought I’d take a stroll this year around Kamigamo Shrine after the proceedings had ended. I was glad I did, for I found the shrine … Read the rest
A reminder that tomorrow sees one of the Big Three Festivals in Kyoto (the others being the Gion Matsuri in July and the Jidai Matsuri in October). All the preliminary events have been done, such as the horse-riding and various
Hata Part 4: Triangular torii
According to the internet, there are seven triangular torii in the whole of Japan. Most of these are modern constructions, and may simply be copies of Kyoto’s Konoshima Jinja. Only one other has a genuine claim of antiquity – … Read the rest