KYOTO COLUMN

BLOGLiterary Calendar

2020.01.19

Best to visit in January! "Miyako Shichifukujin Meguri"

I encountered Shichifukujin at "Ebisu-bune Junko" of "Gion no Ebesan" which I introduced the other day.Even in "Miyako Shichifukujin Meguri" you can see the Seven Gods of Good Fortune!"Miyako Shichifukujin Meguri" literally means visiting 7 shrines and temples where "Miyako Shichifukujin" is enshrined.It is said that if you visit in the first month of the new year, the merit is especially great.In Kyoto, where the faith of Shichifukujin (Seven Deities of Good Fortune) is said to have started during the Muromachi period, Shichifukujin are familiar to us.Why don't you visit 7 shrines and temples in the city to receive good fortune?You can see "Ebisu no Kami" in "Miyako Shichifukujin" in "Kyoto Ebisu jinja Shrine"!Click here for "Gion no Ebesan" a seasonal tradition of Kyoto in the new year.

BLOGWalking

2020.01.17

To "Otoyo jinja Shrine" to see rare "Koma Nezumi (Mouse)"

Half a month has already passed in the new year.For Kyoto which is surrounded by temples and shrines, the visit in January is special.What shrines are in the spotlight in Kyoto in 2020?That's right, "Otoyo jinja Shrine" stands along the Tesugaku no michi (Philosopher's Path).A rare "Koma Nezumi (Mouse)" is enshrined in this precinct.A mouse holding a drinking vessel and a mouse holding a scroll greet you!This year is the Year of the "Ne (Mouse)", and there will always be a long line of visitors!Ema and omikuji with a motif of a shrine rat are cute, so please check them out.

BLOGWalking

2020.01.15

Ekiden is popular in Kyoto, the birthplace of Ekiden!

Ekiden is one of the features of the new year.Do you know that Sanjo Ohashi Bridge in Kyoto is the birthplace of Ekiden?Japan's first ekiden was "Tokaido Ekiden Road Relay Race" held in April 1917.Surprisingly, it was a race from Sanjo-ohashi Bridge in Kyoto to the front entrance of the exhibition in Ueno Shinobazu no ike Pond in Tokyo!We can see "Ekiden Monument" at the north end of the east foot of Sanjo-ohashi Bridge which was a starting point.It has a history of connecting tasuki for 3 days at a distance of about 514 km.Currently, Kyoto City is a sacred place for Ekiden, including the High School Ekiden in December, the Women's Ekiden in January, and the Wheelchair Ekiden in March.In February, the Daimonji Ekiden, an ekiden competition between Kyoto City elementary schools, is also a special feature of Miyakooji.The tasuki that has been passed down from generation to generation in its birthplace.Why don't you cheer for the players running through Reiwa's Miyakooji and remember those days?

BLOGLiterary Calendar

2020.01.10

A seasonal tradition of Kyoto in the New Year "Gion no Ebessan"

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune on the treasure ship that I wanted to see in my first dream is right in front of me!I waved my hands to the people along the street and asked them to share my blessings with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune who are smiling.At a shopping street on Shijo-dori Street, Fukumusume and others were seen giving away Fukuzasa bamboo grass.Fukuzasa bamboo grass is also presented in front of Ebisusha on January 9th and 10th.When I pick up Fukuzasa bamboo grass with my favorite lucky charms, I feel that the new year has come.I hope your business will be prosperous again this year!

BLOGLiterary Calendar

2020.01.06

New Year's visit to "Shimogamo-jinja Shrine"

Happy New Year!This is the first New Year's Day since the era name was changed from "Heisei" to "Reiwa".Where did you go for Hatsumode (New Year's visit) ?I went to "Shimogamo-jinja Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja Shrine)" which is also known as "Kemari Hajime".A realistic mouse is drawn on the large Ema displayed in the Maidono.In addition to the large Ema, there are also books such as "Yatagarasu" and "Reiwa" and "Eto (Oriental zodiac)" which are very impressive!Also, there is a "Eto no Yashiro" in the precincts where you can pray to the god of your own Eto.On January 10, there will be a "Hatsu Eto Matsuri (New Year's First Oriental zodiac Festival)".How about receiving prayers at your "Eto no Yashiro"?Then, I will continue to introduce the life in Kyoto.Thank you.

BLOGLiterary Calendar

2019.12.27

New Year's Eve in Kyoto. Where do you ring the New Year's Eve bell?

We can hear New Year's Eve Bell heard on New Year's Eve.There are many temples in Kyoto where we can ring the bell ourselves.But, most of them are on a first-come-first-served basis, such as limited to 108 people.Among them, my favorite one is "Rokkakudo Choho-ji Temple".It is a temple which is said to have been founded by Shotokutaishi (Prince Shotoku) and is located in the center of the city of Kyoto.We can ring the bell here without any limit on the number of people.I want to clear my earthly desires and greet a new year with a clean heart.Ladies and gentlemen, please have a happy New Year.We look forward to serving you again in 2020 this "きょうのちしん (KYOTO COLUMN)"!

BLOGEvent

2019.12.25

Let's find a book to read during the year-end and New Year holidays at "used book market in winter" of "Keibunsha Ichijojiten"

After Christmas, the long-awaited New Year's holiday!Why don't we prepare a book that we can enjoy in a bed or kotatsu even if we decide to sleep during the New Year?I would like to introduce you to a special event where we can enjoy book hunting during the year-end and New Year holidays."Gallery enfer" of "Keibunsha Ichijojiten" is a second-hand bookstore for 2 weeks during the year-end and New Year holidays."FUYU NO DAI FURUHON ICHI (used book market in winter)" is being held, which brings together old book stores with a lot of individuality from all over Japan, including Kyoto.The best part of the used book market is that we don't know what books are waiting for us until we step in there!If we put the book we want to read on the bedside, I think we can spend a fulfilling New Year's night.It is held until January 6 except New Year's Day.Keibunsha Ichijojiten10 Ichijoji Haraitono-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minute walk from Eiden Ichijoji Stationhttp://www.keibunsha-store.com/

BLOGLiterary Calendar

2019.12.23

A Jizo will walk and come to grant my wish!?

December 24 is a day when the world is excited.Do you know it's "Osame No Jizo" day?It is a festival day for Jizo Bosatsu to thank Jizo for a year and pray for a new year of perfect health.The "Kegon-ji Temple (Kegonji)", nicknamed the Suzumushi-dera Temple, has a "Ennichi Hoyo of Jizo Bosatsu".Look at the foot of "Kouhuku Jizo (Happiness Jizo)" at Suzumushi Temple.Surprisingly, he is wearing "Waraji (straw sandals)!When you visit Suzumushi-dera Temple, give your name and address and make a wish.It is said that a Jizo wearing "Waraji (straw sandals)" will come to make your wish come true on foot.When it comes to Christmas, many people think of Santa Claus.I pray at Suzumushi-dera Temple and make a wish.And I would like to look forward to a Kouhuku Jizo (Happiness Jizo) coming by my pillow someday.Suzumushi-ji Temple (Kegon-ji Temple)31 Matsumuro Jie-cho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto CityThree minutes walk from Kyoto bus stop Koke-dera Temple and Suzumushi-dera Temple