Kamo Shrine

is a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the Шаблон:Nihongo due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east corner brought misfortune. Because the Kamo River runs from the north-east direction into the city, the two shrines along the river were intended to prevent demons from entering the city.

The Kamo Shrine encompasses what are now independent but traditionally associated jinja or shrines: the Шаблон:Nihongo in Kyoto's Kita Ward, and the Шаблон:Nihongo in Sakyo Ward. They are amongst the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The jinja name identifies the clustered kami or deities who are venerated at the Kamo Shrine; and the name refers to the ambit of shrine's encircling woods. The shrine name also references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served. The Kamo are credited with establishing this Shinto sacred place.

The formal names of corollary jinja memorialize vital roots in a history which pre-dates the founding of Japan's ancient capital. Although now incorporated within boundaries of the city, the Tadasu no Mori location was a site planning factor. It is theorized that this forest was the primeval forest home of the sacerdotal Kamo clan, who were the exclusive caretakers of the shrine from prehistoric times. The boundaries of today's smaller forest encompasses approximately 12.4 hectares, which are preserved as a national historical site (を国の史跡). The woods of this sacred grove are designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site along with other Shinto shrines in its environs.

The shrine's annual festival, Kamo no Matsuri, also called Aoi Matsuri, is the oldest of Kyoto's three major festivals. The others are Jidai Matsuri and Gion Matsuri.

Shinto belief

The popular name for Kamo-wakeikazuchi jinja is the Kamigamo jinja or Kamigamo Shrine, also called Upper Shrine. In part, it is called the "upper" shrine because it is situated on the east bank of the Шаблон:Nihongo up-stream from its non-identical twin.

The more commonly used name for Kamo-mioya jinja is the Shimogamo jinja or Shimogamo Shrine, also called the Lower Shrine. In part, it is called the "lower" shrine because it is situated at the confluence of the Шаблон:Nihongo and the Kamo River down-stream from its twin.

The Kamo Shrine is so named because its rituals and festivals are designed to assist in the veneration of the Kamo family of kami and other associated deities; and Kamo kami (kami-no-Kamo) is referenced in other Shinto contexts. In the "Congratulatory Words of the Chieftain of Izumo," the "sacred grove of Kamo" is mentioned along with other wooded Shinto sanctuaries at Ō-miwa, Unade and AsukaШаблон:Disambiguation needed:

Then, Ō-namochi-no-mikoto said: "The Sovereign Grandhild will dwell peacefully in the land of Yamato." Thus saying, he attached his peaceful spirit To a mirror of large dimensions, Eulogizing it by the name Yamato-no-Ō-mono-nushi-Kushi-mika-tama-no-mikoto, And had it dwell in the sacred grove of Ō-miwa. He caused the spirit of his son Aji-suki-taka-hiko-ne-no-mikoto To dwell in the sacred grove of Kamo in Kaduraki; Caused the spirit of Koto-shiro-nushi-no-mikoto To dwell in Unade; And caused the spirit of Kayanarumi-no-mikoto To dwell in the sacred grove of Asuka.

At the Kamigamo Shrine, Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder, is the focus of attention and reverence.

Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi's mother, Kamo Tamayori-hime. Shimogamo is also dedicated to Kamo Taketsune, who is the father of Kamo Taayori-hime.

All feature prominently in the annual Aoi Festival, which occurs in May. Featured in this event are a procession between the two shrines, horse races, and demonstrations of mounted archery (yabusame).

Kamigamo Shrine's two large conical sand mounds memorialize the holy trees that once served to welcome spirits.

Shimogama Shrine has since become one of the key shrines in the area, being associated with prayers to ensure the success of the annual rice harvest. The Shrine is located within Tadasu no Mori (糺の森), 'the forest of truth,' a primeval forest that is reputed to have never been burned down. The forest has, in fact, suffered some damage over the centuries when all of Kyoto was burned during successive revolts and wars; but the forest growth has rebounded again and again. Tadasu no mori is left to grow in its natural state. It is neither planted nor pruned.

Although Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are considered to be paired or twinned, they are not located next to each other. Approximately 2 km. distance separates these two Shinto shrine complexes, which can be explained in part because shrines on the outskirts of Heian-kyō were developed to prevent the infiltration of demons. The Kamogawa river descnds from an ill-omened direction; and the shrines along the flow were positioned in order to prevent demons from using the river to enter the city. Although Kamo-jinja is not directly on the banks of the Kamo River, the site locations were positioned as part of a plan for mitigating the consequences of periodic flooding.

History

The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including those venerate at the Kamo Shrine. These heihaku were initially presented to 16 shrines.

The lower shrine is that of a kami mother; and the upper shrine is that of her kami offspring. The head priests of both have the same title, Kamo-no-Agata-no Nushi. In agata-no-nushi titles, the appended noun is typically a place name; but in a Taihō ritsuryō consolidation, the Kamo mirror the Yamato clan's amalgamating conventions in merging the area, its name, its sacred centers and its kami within a single nominative identifier.

Kamigamo Shrine

Шаблон:Main

From 1871 through 1946, the Kamigamo Shrine was officially designated one of the Шаблон:Nihongo, meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.

It is famous for its haiden (worship hall), rebuilt in 1628-1629 (Kan'ei 6). A number of priests' residences are situated on its grounds, and one, the Nishimura House, is open to the public.

Shimogamo Shrine

Шаблон:Main The Shimogamo Shrine was officially designated Kanpei-taisha in 1871.

Shimogamo Shrine is believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo Shrine, dating back to the 6th century.

A shrine structure was erected in 678 during the reign of the Emperor Tenmu, and this became the principal building during the reign or of the Emperor Kanmu when he transferred the capital from Heijō-kyō, and Nagaoka-kyō to Heian-kyo.

Imperial progresses to the shrines

  • January 16, 795 (Enryaku 13, 21st day of the 12th month): Emperor Kammu made an Imperial progress to both Kamo shrines.
  • October 25, 1334 (Kemmu 1, 27th day of the 9th month): Emperor Go-Daigo made an Imperial progress to Kamo-jinja.
  • April 29, 1863 (Bunkyū 3, on the 11th day of the 3rd month ): Emperor Komei made an Imperial progress to the Kamo Shrines. He was accompanied by the shogun, all the principal officials and many feudal lords. This was the first Imperial progress since Emperor Go-Mizunoo visited Nijo Castle more than 230 years before; and no Emperor had visited Kamo since Emperor Go-Daigo honored both shrines in Kemmu 1 (1334).

See also

  • List of Shinto shrines
  • Twenty-Two Shrines
  • Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines

Notes

Шаблон:Reflist

References

External links

Шаблон:Commons category

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The Ritz-Carlton
20 December 2016
The oldest temple in Kyoto dating back to the 7th century. The thunder God protects from calamities, including lightning, possibly why the shrine is popular with people in the electrical industry.
Massara Nati …
18 September 2013
【国宝】国宝登録は「本殿」と「権殿」の2棟…。賀茂別雷神社(かもわけいかづちじんじゃ)、通称は上賀茂神社(かみがもじんじゃ)。 賀茂御祖神社(下鴨神社)とともに古代山城の豪族賀茂氏の氏神を祀っている。祭神は 賀茂別雷大神 (かもわけいかづちのおおかみ)。「別雷」は「若雷」の意味で、若々しい力に満ちた雷(神鳴り)の神という意。古都京都の文化財として世界文化遺産の一つとして登録されている。
龍
12 January 2016
旧官幣大社であり現在は神社本庁の別表神社。通称は上賀茂神社。祭神は賀茂別雷大神。創建は諸税あるが天武天皇7年 (678年) 賀茂別雷命が降臨したという。下鴨神社と同様に葵祭が有名であり、厄除けの神様として信仰されている上賀茂神社は本殿、権殿が国宝、楼門、廻廊、など34棟が重要文化財、境内は国の史跡。1994年 (平成4年) 【古都京都の文化財の一つ】としてユネスコ世界遺産 (文化遺産) に登録。
Cono
26 September 2013
境内にある岩本神社(写真右)は在原業平、橋本神社(左)は、藤原実方を祀っています。徒然草六十七段に、よく二つの神社が間違えられることが書いてありますが、時代が違うとはいえ似たり寄ったりのプレイボーイなので、祀られてる二人も、間違えられてもお互い悪い気しないでしょうねぇ(  ̄▽ ̄)いや逆に、俺の方がモテる!と口論になったりして。。
Jenson Lee
28 January 2014
「上賀茂神社外緣,御手洗川與御物忌川兩條小溪合流的《小倉百人一首》所詠的另一條小溪『ならの小川』,臨此潺潺淺水,教人很想坐下一陣子,不忙著走了;甚至更想自背包裡取出飯糰,靜靜地對著溪水吃。老實說,在此種境地吃麵包喝礦泉水,未必遜於對著枯山水庭園吃湯豆腐。事實上,此溪北面的「涉溪園」,是賀茂曲水宴的開催之地。」- 舒國治《門外漢的京都》頁一〇七
しん
5 July 2016
世界文化遺産。気持ちのいい芝生があり、週末には手づくり市をはじめイベントが開かれることも多い。神社向かって右手は木立ときれいな川があり、暑い時期には子供が楽しそうに遊んでたりする。そういう緩さがまた素晴らしい。
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Japan, 〒603-8047 Kyōto-fu, Kyōto-shi, Kita-ku, Kamigamo Motoyama 上賀茂神社 Get directions
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