Kamigamo Shrine
Encyclopedia
is an important Shinto
sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto, first founded in 678. Its formal name is the .
It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
which have been designated by UNESCO
as a World Heritage Site
. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine
and Kamigamo Shrine, the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto. The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami
or deities who are venerated. The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori
. In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan
, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Kamogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder.
.
Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei
(806-809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinja was amongst a select number of establishments which had been granted a divine seal for use on documents. The seal would have been enshrined in its own unique mikoshi
(Oshite jinja). This granting of a special seal and the practices associated with its use and preservation conformed to a pattern established by Emperor Konin
(770-781) in 778 (Hōki
9).
In 965, Emperor Murakami
ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi.
Kamigamo, along with the Shimogamo Shrine, was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro province
.
From 1871 through 1946, Kamigamo was officially designated one of the , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
(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.
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto, first founded in 678. Its formal name is the .
It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto encompasses 17 locations in Japan. The locations are in three cities: Kyoto and Uji in Kyoto Prefecture; and Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. Of the monuments, 13 are Buddhist temples; 3 are Shinto shrines; and one is a castle...
which have been designated by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
as a World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine, called Shimogamo-jinja in Japanese, is the common name of an important Shinto sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward. Its formal name is Kamo-mioya-jinja...
and Kamigamo Shrine, the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto. The Kamo-jinja serve the function of protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
The jinja name identifies the Kamo family of kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
or deities who are venerated. The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori
Tadasu no Mori
, which literally means "Forest of Correction," is a sacred grove associated with an important Shinto sanctuary complex known in Japanese as the Kamo-jinja, situated near the banks of the Kamo River just north of where the Takano River joins the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto city, Japan...
. In addition, the shrine name references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan
Kamo clan
The are a Japanese sacerdotal kin group which traces its roots from a Yayoi period shrine in the vicinity of northeastern Kyoto. The clan rose to prominence during the Asuka and Heian periods when the Kamo are identified with the 7th-century founding of the Kamo Shrine.-Kamo Shrine:The Kamo...
, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.
Kamogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder.
History
The shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian periodHeian period
The 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...
.
Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei
Emperor Heizei
, also known as Heijō-tennō. was the 51st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Heizei's reign lasted from 806 to 809.-Traditional narrative:...
(806-809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinja was amongst a select number of establishments which had been granted a divine seal for use on documents. The seal would have been enshrined in its own unique mikoshi
Mikoshi
A is a divine palanquin . Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity in Japan while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival or when moving to a new shrine...
(Oshite jinja). This granting of a special seal and the practices associated with its use and preservation conformed to a pattern established by Emperor Konin
Emperor Konin
was the 49th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kōnin's reign lasted from 770 to 781.-Traditional narrative:The personal name of Emperor Kōnin was given was As a son of Imperial Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor Tenji., his formal style was Prince Shirakabe...
(770-781) in 778 (Hōki
Hoki
Hoki can mean:* Hōki Province, was an old province of Japan, today part of the Tottori Prefecture.* Hōki, Tottori, a town in Japan.* Hōki, a Japanese era name from 770 through 781....
9).
In 965, Emperor Murakami
Emperor Murakami
was the 62nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.-Traditional narrative:...
ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi.
Kamigamo, along with the Shimogamo Shrine, was designated as one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro province
Yamashiro Province
was a province of Japan, located in Kinai. It overlaps the southern part of modern Kyoto Prefecture on Honshū. Aliases include , the rare , and . It is classified as an upper province in the Engishiki....
.
From 1871 through 1946, Kamigamo was officially designated one of the , meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
Imperial visits
- 794 (EnryakuEnryakuwas a after Ten'ō and before Daidō. This period spanned the years from August 782 through May 806. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* November 12, 782 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
13): Emperor KammuEmperor Kammuwas the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
came as part of a grand progress. - 942 (TengyōTengyowas a after Jōhei and before Tenryaku. This period spanned the years from May 938 through April 947. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 2, 938 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
5, 29th day of the 4th month): Emperor SuzakuEmperor Suzakuwas the 61st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 930 through 946.-Traditional narrative:...
visited to offer thanks for restoration of peace.. - 979 (TengenTengenTengen may refer to:*Tengen , the center point on a Go board, and the name of a Go competition in Japan*Tengen , a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany*Tengen , a defunct video game publisher and developer...
2, 10th day of the 10th month): Emperor En'yūEmperor En'yuwas the 64th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.En'yū's reign spanned the years from 969 through 984.-Traditional narrative:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Morihira-shinnō....
decided that an Imperial visit Hachiman at Iwashimizu Shrine should be paired with a visit to Kamo. - 1711 (HōeiHoeiwas a after Genroku and before Shōtoku. This period spanned the years from March 1704 through April 1711. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
8): Emperor NakamikadoEmperor Nakamikadowas the 114th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Nakamikado's reign spanned the years from 1709 through 1735.-Genealogy:...
took refuge in the Hosodono when the palace had become uninhabitable.
Structures
The jinja is famous for its haidenHaiden (Shinto)
In Shinto shrine architecture, the is the hall of worship or oratory. It is generally placed in front of the shrine's main sanctuary and often built on a larger scale than the latter. The haiden is often connected to the honden by a heiden, or hall of offerings...
(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.
See also
- List of Shinto shrines
- Twenty-Two Shrines
- Yurihonjo hinakaidoYurihonjo hinakaido, meaning "Yurihonjō city hina doll route,"is the name of an event held in March in Yurihonjō City in Akita Prefecture in Japan, in which visitors can follow a map of public displays of the traditional Hina dolls at over 50 different locations around the city....
, an annual traditional doll display festival held in part of the shrine - Modern system of ranked Shinto ShrinesModern system of ranked Shinto ShrinesThe The The (sometimes called simply , was an organizational aspect of the establishment of Japanese State Shinto. This system classified Shinto shrines as either official government shrines or "other" shrines...