Last summer I happened to be up in Kamigyo-ku Ward in north-west Kyoto and took the opportunity to visit Seimei Jinja Shrine. This is a little shrine, and easily missed, but it has a very special character and history, and I had long wanted to take a look at it. You will notice as soon as you arrive here the ubiquitous design of the five-pointed star or pentagram. This … [Read more...] about Seimei Jinja Shrine
Shrines
Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Mewby and I caught this festival last year and for sheer excitement it can't be beat. I highly recommend you catch this event on May 5th. Earlier that morning (from around 10.30) we saw mikoshi (portable shrines) from Fujinomori Shrine carried in a parade to Fushimi Inari Taisha. It was raining but that did not dampen the spirits of the people carrying the mikoshi - they … [Read more...] about Fujinomori Festival & Kakeuma Shinji – Acrobatic Horseback Riding
Kerria at Matsuo Taisha
After the cherry blossoms fall, successive waves of spring flowers vie for our attentions. At Matsuo Taisha bright gold kerria, known as "yamabuki" in Japanese, are in full bloom right now. We went to see them last year, but for some reason I never got around to posting the pictures - until now. Matsuo Taisha, (formally called Matsu-no-O Taisha), is said to have … [Read more...] about Kerria at Matsuo Taisha
Maiko at Yasaka Jinja
Maiko, Kyoto's apprentice geisha, at Yasaka Jinja today celebrating Setsubun. First they do a little dance. Then they throw their lucky beans. Both the maiko and the crowds were awfully excited about those lucky beans... Setsubun is celebrated at Yasaka Jinja every year in both the 2nd and 3rd of February, though the festival proper is on the 3rd. To … [Read more...] about Maiko at Yasaka Jinja
Snow on Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
The past couple of days in Kyoto have seen the city's heaviest snowfall in over 50 years - which of course makes for a lot of splendid photo opportunities. One of my essential visits each January is to Shimogamo Shrine, a shrine older than the city itself and my personal favorite. I make a point of coming here for hatsumōde (初詣 - a first shrine visit) every year. Here are some … [Read more...] about Snow on Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto
