Deep Kyoto

good places - good people

  • About Deep Kyoto
  • About Michael Lambe
    • ARTICLES BY MICHAEL LAMBE
    • ARTICLES FOR INSIDE KYOTO
  • Books
  • Deep Kyoto Hotels
  • Pottery Fair
    • Kimono Stall
    • Bag Stall
  • Nintendo Playing Cards
  • 日本語

Kyoto & Horses

March 15, 2009 By dk-admin89 Leave a Comment

More than just the Aoi Matsuri!

ropkes-horseIf you can imagine the rugged geography of Japan without paved roads or mechanized transportation, you will appreciate the important role which horses played here until fairly recently. There are hundreds of place names in Japan that reflect a long and intimate relationship with the horse. Keage, near Nanzen-ji Temple, is one such place. About 700 years ago, the great warrior, Minamoto Yoshitsune, met a samurai and retainers from the enemy Heike clan here. Passing each other on the cramped trail, the Heike samurai’s horse kicked back, splashing muddy water on Yoshitsune’s clothes. He flew into a rage, drew his sword, and killed ten members of the offending party. Ever since, the place has been known as Keage (literally, “kick up”). And when horses and not cars were the norm, finding a place to tether the animals was a city problem. Yanaginobamba between Karasuma and Kawaramachi, means “horse place among willow trees.” The street was named for a large open field near Hokoku Shrine where 17th century riders could “park and walk,” leaving their mounts to browse in peace. Painted screens depicting the area as it was then are still displayed at the shrine.

Words and image by Ian Ropke.

Hokoku Shrine also known as Toyokuni Shrine houses the mausoleum of Japan’s second great unifier Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At Kyoto Visitor’s Guide there is a very nice suggested walking route between Sanjusangen-do Temple and the Gion area that takes in this shrine along the way. LINK

You can find a map to Hokoku shrine here.

Ian Ropke is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Osaka and Kyoto, editor of Kyoto Visitors Guide, and director of Your Japan Private Tours. He posts regularly for Deep Kyoto on the 15th of each month.

Related Articles:
Miyako in the Mist
The Enchanted City
Introducing Ian Ropke

 

Filed Under: Culture & Tradition, Ian Ropke Tagged With: history, Hokoku Shrine, horses, Toyokuni Shrine

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Kyoto: A Literary Guide #AD

Moss Garden by David Bowie

https://youtu.be/w4YO4RJjm8E

Moss Garden by David Bowie #AD

Moss Garden MP3 (2017 Remaster)

Amazon Explore #AD


Virtually explore Gion, Kyoto’s traditional Geisha district
Ken’s Tours Kyoto
$55.00
40 minute session

Virtually stroll & shop Kyoto’s Teramachi Street
Beauty of Japan
$55.00
60 minute session


Zen Buddhism and meditation: a virtual
tour of Kyoto’s Nanzenji Temple

Ken’s Tours Kyoto
$35.00
40 minute session


Virtually explore Kyoto’s traditional
Higashiyama neighborhood

Intrepid Urban Adventures
$90.00
75 minute session

Deep Kyoto’s Best…

BARS
CAFES
DINING
EVENTS
HOTELS

Deep Kyoto Essentials #ad

Follow Deep Kyoto on Twitter

Tweets by @deepkyoto

Japan Station

Japan Transportation Guide
Japan Transportation Guide
Kyoto Transportation Guide
Kyoto Transportation Guide
Osaka Transportation Guide
Osaka Transportation Guide

Online Courses From Keio University

Online Courses from Keio University

Exploring Japanese Avant-garde Art Through Butoh Dance

The Art of Washi Paper in Japanese Rare Books

Japanese Culture Through Rare Books

An Introduction to Japanese Subcultures

Search for Hotels

Search hotels and more...

Destination

Check-in date

Check-out date

Booking.com

Copyright © 2021 · Deep Kyoto.