Imamiya Shrine

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Imamiya Shrine
今宮神社
Imamiya Shrine gate.JPG
Imamiya Shrine's main gate
Japan location map with side map of the Ryukyu Islands.svg
Shinto torii icon vermillion.svg
Shown within Japan
Basic information
Location 21, Imamiya-cho, Murasakino
Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 603-8231
Geographic coordinates 35°2′44.80″N135°44′31.39″E / 35.0457778°N 135.7420528°E / 35.0457778; 135.7420528 Coordinates: 35°2′44.80″N135°44′31.39″E / 35.0457778°N 135.7420528°E / 35.0457778; 135.7420528
Affiliation Shinto
Deity Ōkuninushi
Date established 994
Icon of Shinto.svg Glossary of Shinto

Imamiya Shrine(今宮神社,Imamiya-jinja) is a Shinto shrine located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It was originally established for patrons to pray for safety from an epidemic, though it has evolved into a shrine where patrons can pray for general good health. The shrine complex is embedded in a forest of large trees northwest of Daitoku-ji and includes many minor shrines in addition to the main shrine, or honden . [1] On every second Sunday in April, one of the 3 major festivals in Kyoto, Yasurai Matsuri, is held at the shrine. The word imamiya(今宮) means "newly constructed." [2]

Shinto Japanese traditional folk religion

Shinto or kami-no-michi is the traditional religion of Japan that focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.

Shinto shrine Japanese shrine of the Shinto religion

A Shinto shrine is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more kami. Its most important building is used for the safekeeping of sacred objects, and not for worship. Although only one word ("shrine") is used in English, in Japanese Shinto shrines may carry any one of many different, non-equivalent names like gongen, -gū, jinja, jingū, mori, myōjin, -sha, taisha, ubusuna or yashiro.

Kita-ku, Kyoto Ward of Kyoto

Kita is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Its name means "North Ward." As of 2016, the ward has an estimated population of 119,074 people.

Contents

History

Imamiya Shrine was founded during the Heian period in 994. In 1001, however, the shrine was moved to its present-day location as a response to an epidemic that had hit the Kyoto area a year earlier. Current iterations of many of the structures were rebuilt in 1902. [2] The shrine's festival, Yasurai Matsuri, was also created as a response to the epidemic. Through music and dance, the festival attempts to appease petrels around Kyoto with cherry blossom petals in their beaks, which were then believed to be spreading disease. [2]

Heian period last major division of classical Japanese history (794 to 1185), named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto

The Heian period is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height. The Heian period is also considered the peak of the Japanese imperial court and noted for its art, especially poetry and literature. Although the Imperial House of Japan had power on the surface, the real power was in the hands of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful aristocratic family who had intermarried with the imperial family. Many emperors actually had mothers from the Fujiwara family. Heian (平安) means "peace" in Japanese.

Epidemic rapid spread of infectious disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time

An epidemic is the rapid spread of infectious disease to a large number of people in a given population within a short period of time, usually two weeks or less. For example, in meningococcal infections, an attack rate in excess of 15 cases per 100,000 people for two consecutive weeks is considered an epidemic.

Kyoto Designated city in Kansai, Japan

Kyoto, officially Kyoto City, is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture, located in the Kansai region of Japan. It is best known in Japanese history for being the former Imperial capital of Japan for more than one thousand years, as well as a major part of the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area.

Attractions

There are several attractions that are unique to Imamiya Shrine. Specifically, there are two longstanding restaurants adjacent to the shrine. These shops' specialty are aburimochi - skewered, roasted rice cakes that are a traditional Kyoto confection. The two restaurants, named Ichiwa and Kazariya, have been open since 1000 and 1656 respectively and are located immediately outside the shrine's east gate. [3]

Ichimonjiya Wasuke

Ichimonjiya Wasuke is a traditional confectionery company located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It was established in the year 1000 and is operated by 24th generation of the same family. The recent building is about 300 years old and contains many benches and stools around small tables. Local people call the shop "Ichiwa".

The shrine also houses a rock called ahokashisan. The stone is believed to possess magical properties. If a person rubs the stone and then rubs an injured area of their body, it is said that they will heal quicker than normal. Furthermore, if a person taps the stone three times, then lifts it, the stone will feel heavy. Afterwards, if the same person strokes the stone three times while making a wish and then lifts it for a second time and the stone feels light, it is said that their wish will be granted. [2] The ahokashisan, as well as Yasurai Matsuri, are designated Important Cultural Properties.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Kyoto Walking map". Kyoto Visitor's Guide. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kawaguchi, Satoko. "Imamiya Shrine". Learning about Kyoto. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  3. ↑ Imanaka, Chiaki. "Aburimochi". Learning About Kyoto. Retrieved 2008-05-12.


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