Recently I paid a visit to Kifune Jinja to see the autumn colours on the approach along the Eiden line. This ancient shrine just to the north of Kyoto has been featured on Green Shinto previously here, and I was surprised to find several innovations since my last visit. The shrine has origins in the prehistoric past, when legend says an aristocratic expedition came in search of the source of a river. The innovations made me think I may have been looking too into a futuristic Shinto as well as the distant past.
But first of all, is it Kifune or Kibune Jinja? Shinto Shrines by Cali and Dougill suggests that while the shrine is correctly called Kifune, the village in which it stands is known as Kibune. You say Kibune, I say Kifune, either way it is a shrine well worth visiting and an ever delightful outing for those of who live in Kyoto.
Stairway to heaven – or at least to the kami
With the Covid crisis abating, there is the rare chance these days of using the temizuya for the customary ablutions.An unusual seasonal touch for the votive prayer boards (ema) Ema derive from the practice of donating horses to shrines, black when wishing for rain and white for cessation.Something I hadn’t seen at the shrine before. A smartphone audio guide, and what’s more in English too. Instructions in English too of how to use the fortune slips (this being a water deity, the slips of paper are only readable when placed on water).
Even in front of the Worship Hall notices are placed to advertise the audio guide.
The traditional way is still best.
With the kami watching, there is no problem leaving money lying around
I paid my money and got a fortune slip
Great news! I will have good luck in all aspects of life for the foreseeable future.This was great news too – the shrine is actively collecting funds for charity work with water projects in Sudan.And so back home along the maple-lined Eiden railway line after a visit that suggested Shinto may be turning toward a more open, international, high tech and charitable future.
