Walking

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2021.02.21

釘抜地蔵 (The Kugi nail puller Jizo) in Kyoto

I wonder that there are many people who couldn't go to shrines or temples for Setsubun this year under the state of emergency.As for this year's Setsubun, as well as Hatsumode, dispersed worship is recommended, and there are still some shrines and temples where you can visit now.For example, "Shakuzo-ji Temple" in Nishijin, that is known as "釘抜地蔵 (Kuginuki Jizo: The Kugi nail puller Jizo)".This year, you can specially purchase "厄除招福だるま (Yakuyoke Shofuku Daruma doll)" until Wednesday, March 31.It is an amulet that is sold only on Setsubun every year.It is a charm with the power of compassion of Kuginuki Jizo Daibosatsu even though it is a cute princess daruma figure.Also, on the 24th of each month, "Kuginuki Jizo Ennichi".After a short service and the chief priest's talk, a gift from the Jizo is received.It is held every month, so why don't you pray slowly after the world calms down?Pliers and nails as offerings for pain relief.The stone statue temple said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi-Kukai in 819.It was restored by Shunjobo Chogen Shonin (Priest) in the Kamakura period and changed from a Shingon sect temple to a Jodo sect temple.Furthermore, it is said that it was restored in 1614 by Seirensha Genyo Shonin.The Jizo-do Hall (Main hall) enshrines a stone standing statue of Jizo Bosatsu that is said to have been made by Kukai.Nails and nail pullers will greet visitors on the approach, and a large statue of nail puller will greet visitors on the grounds.According to the shrine's biography, there are 2 theories for the origin of the name "Kuginuki Jizo".One theory is that "苦抜 (Kunuki: remove suffering) Jizo" was changed to "釘抜 (Kuginuki: nails) Jizo".Another theory is that a Jizo (guardian deity of children) appeared in a merchant's dream and pulled out two nails of resentment from the merchant's hand.Even today, worshippers visit the shrine to remove nails (agony) from its body and mind.It is said that Shakuzo-ji Temple has a worship that visitors dedicate "thank-you Ema (votive tablet)" after their agonies were gone.A rare and spectacular Ema (votive tablet) with two hassun kugi nails and kuginuki (nail puller) stuck to a large board.About 1,000 Ema (votive tablets) of gratitude are posted on the wall of the Jizodo hall, showing the depth of their faith.Yen-ma-sama who is said to pull out the tongue of the liar that we introduced in this "KYOTO CHSHIN" the other day.And this time, the Bodhisattva who pulled out the kugi nails (agony) of the heart and body.It looks exactly the opposite, but it is interesting that both of them are called Ojizo-sama.Shakuzo-ji Temple/Kuginuki Jizo503 Hanaguruma-cho, Senbon-dori Kamidachiuri Agaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minutes walk from Senbon Kamidachiuri, City bus stopHere is for The town name "閻魔前町 (Yen-ma Mae-cho)" in Kyoto

BLOGWalking

2021.02.19

The inn where we can meet cats if we are lucky

February 22 is "Cat's Day" in Japan.At coffee shops and cafes in Kyoto, there are times when "cat" greets you.I think cats that keep the right distance can be said to be a symbol of this era.Also, there are unexpected encounters waiting for us when we walk on the street.The other day in Nishijin, I met a cat at "Kyo-no Yado (inn) Unohana".The window of a small inn in a quiet residential area that is down the Ninna-ji Temple road on the Onmae-dori street.I was fascinated for a while by the appearance like a maneki neko that blends in with the seasonal arrangement.He or she does not sit here every day, so we are lucky if we can meet him or her.It was warm on that day, so he or she might have enjoyed sunbathing.From the blanket placed casually, the warmth and polite work of the staff seems to be conveyed."Kyo-no Yado Unohana" is welcomed by a cute cat and a gentle couple.It is a homey inn that there are many repeat customers with hearty hospitality and breakfast.It is clean and has thorough measures against infectious diseases, so it is nice that a woman can stay alone without worries.Why don't you check it when the time comes for traveling.Nishijin is a production area of Kyoto's world-class traditional craft "Nishijin brocade".We can hear the sound of weaving from the alley, and see the old townscape remains.There are many hidden famous temples, historic sites and spots, so I think you can find your own Kyoto.Speaking of social distance, it is often perfect for cats we meet on the street.(The picture shows a cat I met early in the morning on Tanuki -bashi Bridge in Gion, Shirakawa.)I hope it will be a town in Kyoto where cats can live comfortably.Kyo-no Yado Unohana188 Shimotate-cho, Ninna-ji temple kaido Sagaru, Onmae-dori, Kamigyo-ku Ward, Kyoto City6 minutes from Kitano Tenman-gu mae or Taisho-gun, City bus stop

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2021.02.15

The town name "天使突抜 (Tenshi-tsukinuke)" in Kyoto

Since 1994, February 17 has been designated as the "Tenshi no Sasayaki no Hi (Angel's Whisper Day)"."Angel's Whisper" means diamond dust generated by the freezing of water vapor in the air.In 1978, the lowest temperature in Japan, minus 41.2 degrees, was recorded in Hokkaido.Compared to minus 41.2 degrees Celsius, I think it feels warm to the bone in Kyoto.In Kyoto, there is a town with a sense of speed that angel is likely to shout rather than whisper.Its name is "天使突抜 (Tenshi-tsukinuke)".You can see it on the board showing the town names of the streets running from north to south 1 street west of "Gojo Tenjin-gu Shrine" in Matsubara-dori Nishinotoin.In the north it extends from "Tenshi-tsukinuke 1-chome" on Matsubara-dori Street to "Tenshi-tsukinuke 4-chome" on Rokujo-dori Street.This dates back to the time Gojo Tenjin-gu was built, when it was called "Tenshi no Miya (Tenshi-sha Shrine)".According to the shrine's biography, it originated in the kanjo (794) of "天神" from Uda-gun, Yamakuni (Nara Prefecture) in 13 of the transfer of the national capital to Heian-kyo.This "天神" is not "Tenjin" but "Tenshin" and people call the angel house "Tenshi sama".At the time of its founding, the shrine boasted a vast area of 4 east to west and 5 north to south, and there was a Chinju no Mori on the site.However, with the urban development by Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI in 1586, a road running north-south through the forest was newly constructed.Because it penetrated the Tenshi sama, people sarcastically called it "Tenshi-tsukinuke-dori Street".The street is now called "Higashinakasuji-dori Street" but there is a trace of "Tenshi-tsukinuke" in the town name.Kukai (Kobo Daishi) is said to have founded "Tenshi no Miya (Tenshi-sha Shrine)" which was renamed "Gojo Tenjingu Shrine" in the era of Emperor Gotoba.In "Yoshitsune-ki", it is a historic shrine where Benkei and Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune) met.They were repeatedly destroyed by fire during the war and rebuilt, including the Hogen War, the Onin War, and the Hamaguri-gomon Gate Incident.The main building of the shrine was also rebuilt, and it was reorganized into the current area in the Meiji period, and now it is small.Enshrined deities are Sukunahikona no Mikoto, Onamuchi no Mikoto and Amaterasu Omikami, all of whom are gods of medicine and charm.Another characteristic is that "五條天神宮 (Gojo Tenjin-gu Shrine)" "天神 (Tenjin)" is read as "Tenjin" instead of "Tenshin".Although not Tenjin-sama, there is a subordinate shrine called "Tsukushi Tenman-gu Shrine" in the precincts.It is interesting fate that Michizane Sugawara is enshrined here and "Nade Ushi (Stroking Ox)" is sitting in.Gojo Tenjingu Shrine351 -201 Tenjinmae-cho, Nishinotoin Nishi-iru, Matsubara-dori, Shimogyo-ku Ward, Kyoto CityA short walk from Nishinotoin Matsubara, City bus stopHere is for "Jintan no Hi (Day of Jintan)" and the board showing the town name of Jintan in KyotoHere is for "Yen-ma Mae-cho" where "Yen-ma-sama (King of Hell)" glares at

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2021.02.12

The town name "閻魔前町 (Yen-ma Mae-cho)" in Kyoto

On the 16th of each month is "Yenma-sama no Ennichi (The festival of King of Hell)".Yenma-sama means Yenma-Houo (King of Hell), and he is known for his "pull out a liar's tongue".In addition to Chinese characters that are difficult to read, there are a number of places and towns in Kyoto where the origins are worrisome.For example, it was one of the three major funeral sites in Heian-kyo "Rendaino".There is a "閻魔前町 (Yen-ma Mae-cho town)" in this area where we can avoid telling a lie.As the name suggests, it is derived from the fact that Yen-ma-sama is in front of us.Injo-ji Temple, located in Yen-ma Mae-cho, is known by the nickname "Senbon-Yenmado".It is said that Injo-ji Temple was founded by a court noble ONO no Takamura.He was one of the poets in Hyakunin Isshu (one hundred waka poems by one hundred poets) and had divine power to travel back and forth between this world and that world.It is said that he worked in the Imperial Court during the day and served Enma-sama in the underworld at that world.Yen-ma sama is said to be an incarnation of Ojizo-sama and is in fact the closest Buddha to humans in this world.Enma taught ONO no Takamura the "a method of welcoming spirits" in which ancestors' souls are greeted in a stupa.To spread it, ONO no Takamura built a small shrine on the north side of Suzaku-oji Street (Present Senbon-dori Street).It is said that Injo-ji Temple originated from enshrining the statue of Yen-ma Hoo (King of Hell) carved by ONO no Takamura.Even today, the statue of Yen-ma-Hoo, reproduced in 1488, is enshrined in the main hall as the principal image.The principal image statue of Yenma-Houo is usually closed to the public.The door of Yen-ma sama is opened on the 16th of each month on the "Yenma-sama no Ennichi (The festival of King of Hell)" and visitors can see him.The statue of "Enma-Hoo Pope" which is enshrined in the precincts was made by a local fire company.This is also quite powerful, don't you think?Injo-ji Temple (Senbon-Yenmado)34 Yenma-Mae-cho, Senbon-dori Rozanji-agaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minutes walk from Senbon Kuramaguchi, City bus stop

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2021.02.10

"仁丹の日 (Jintan no Hi)" and the board showing the town name of Jintan in Kyoto

"National Foundation Day" on February 11 is also known as "仁丹の日 (Jintan no Hi / Day of Jintan)" in Japan.仁丹 (Jintan) is a mouth freshener manufactured and sold by Morishita Jintan Co., Ltd. in Osaka.The tiny round silver grain containing 16 kinds of crude drugs is a long-selling product of this company.I wonder many people think of the advertised "Jintan town name display board" when they think of Jintan in Kyoto.In Kyoto, from the Meiji period to the early Showa period, they were set up everywhere in the town, and some of them still exist today.This town name board showed "上京区 (Kamigyo Ward)" "下京区 (Shimogyo Ward)"for the address in Nakagyo Ward etc. and "下京区 (Shimogyo Ward)" for the address in Higashiyama Ward etc. at that time.This is said to be related to the fact that Kyoto municipal system was implemented in 1889.Prior to the enforcement of this municipal system, Kyoto PREFECTURE Kamigyo Ward and Kyoto PREFECTURE Shimogyo Ward were established in 1879.When the city system was implemented, it was changed to Kyoto CITY Kamigyo Ward and Kyoto CITY Shimogyo Ward.Kyoto City currently has 11 wards, but at first there were only 2 wards and the area was different from the present one.In 1929, the city area expanded from the 2 wards and was newly divided into 5 wards.Nakagyo Ward was created from Kamigyo Ward and Shimogyo Ward, Sakyo Ward was created from Kamigyo Ward, and Higashiyama Ward was created from Shimogyo Ward.The board showing the name of the town of Jintan that conveys the city system of Kyoto in the past is a precious material that we want to leave for future generations.While some town name boards have passed through time, there are also new faces that were created in the Heisei era.It is fun to think about the origin of the town name because each old and new has its own taste.In general, the people of Kyoto who specify the place by the name of a street running north, south, east and west instead of the name of the town.The board also helps you to 上ル (agaru: go north) and 下ル (sagaru: go south) the grid.Like Shoki-san, which I introduced the other day, I hope the town name display board will continue to watch the town of Kyoto, too.Here is for The only shrine in Japan dedicated to Shoki-sanHere is for Wandering around① What are agaru (上ル), sagaru (下ル) and iru (入ル)?

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2021.02.08

​The only shrine in Japan dedicated to Shoki-san

When I walk around the town of Kyoto, I sometimes feel a sign from the small roof of Machiya (Traditional townhouses).Its true identity is "Shoki-san".It is said to be a Taoist god that has been spread as a Chinese folklore and has blessings such as protection against diseases.In Kyoto, as one of the folk beliefs, it is common to place the pottery of Shoki-san on the small roofs of Machiyas.It is said to be a guardian god of a house, which removes evil spirits repelled by Onigawara facing each other.Do you know the "Shoki-jinja Shrine" that officially deifies Shoki-san?A branch shrine of (Shiinetsuhiko no Mikoto) which enshrines the pottery god Shiinetsuhiko no Mikoto "Toki-jinja Shrine (Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine)".The shrine was built in 2013, that Shoki-san is also in connection with the fact that it is a pottery made from roof tiles.According to a piece of paper on the shrine's premises, the person who built the Shoki-jinja Shrine was a professor at the Kyoto University of Art and Design (Present Kyoto University of Arts).The object of worship for Shoki-san was created by a student who was a student of the university's art and craft department at the time.The supersized object of worship, which seems to be dozens of times larger than Shoki-san on the roof, is impressive!In order to avoid staring at visitors, the eyes are set aside.If you look closely, you can see a small Shoki-san, standing at the foot of a big Shoki-san.In addition, a pair of Shoki-san welcomes visitors like a statue of Aun.Shoki-san has a strong presence in Kyoto, but this is the only shrine in Japan that enshrines Shoki-san.Shoki-jinja Shrine is located in Gojozaka, where Kiyomizu-yaki (Kiyomizu ware) is known to have originated and Kyo-Machiya (Traditional Kyoto's townhouses) still remains.Attention should be paid to Shoki-san from the long-established pottery shop "Tou-tensei Kawasaki" located 2 doors west of the Shoki-jinja Shrine.It is a unique style that he has a ceramic kyusu of pottery shop!There are fewer people in Kyoto now, so I wonder Shoki-san might be lonely, too.Once things have settled down, look for Shoki while you enjoy walking around.And, why don't you visit Shoki Shrine, too?Shoki-jinja Shrine5- 480 Gojo-bashi-higashi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City (Inside Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine)5 minutes walk from Gojozaka, City bus stop

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2021.02.04

Hora-gai mikuji (Triton shell fortune) by Shogo-in Monzeki Temple

I think a lot of people look forward to drawing omikuji (fortune) when they visit shrines and temples.There are many things I want to collect such as omikuji in ceramic lucky charms.My favorite omikuji is Shogo-in Monzeki Temple's. it is known as the temple of Shugendo and Yamabushi.It is based on the "Hora-gai (Triton shell)", which is blowed by Yamabushi and the temple crest is it, too.Yamabushi is a monk who does strict ascetic training in the mountains, and Hora-gai (Triton shell) is a symbol of Yamabushi.In Japan, Hora-gai (Triton shell) has been used as a tool to teach Buddha's sermons.It is said that the same tone as Buddha's preaching removes various misfortunes of the listener.After reading omikuji, we can display it at the entrance as an amulet to ward off evil.It is not be able to blowed actually, but I fell in love with its unique motif!*We can buy "Hora-gai mikuji (Triton shell fortune)" at special exhibitions of Shogo-in Monzeki Temple.Shogo-in Monzeki Temple is the head temple of the Honzan Shugen-do Sect which was founded in 1090 by Zoyo.Shugen-do Sect is a religious doctrine founded about 1300 years ago by En-no-gyoja Zinhen Daibosatsu.It is a Monzeki temple where the imperial family served as chief priest until the Meiji period, and the crest of chrysanthemum and Hora-gai (Triton shell) are decorated on the temple crest.Furthermore, "Shogoin-mura village" is said to have stood on the west side of Shogoin Monzeki Temple until the Meiji period.Daikon radish, turnip and yatsuhashi made in this village were given the name "Shogo-in".Shogoin-daikon and Shogoin-kabu are Kyoto vegetables, and Shogoin-yatsuhashi is a well-known Kyoto confection.Shogoin Yatsuhashi Souhonten (head office) is close to Shogo-in Monzeki Temple, and Shogoin is the name of the area.Shogo-in Monzeki Temple15 Shogoin Naka-machi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City3 minutes walk from Kumano-jinja Mae, City bus stop

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2021.01.31

Praying Beauty at "Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine"

We introduced the "Keso-Fumi-Uri (2 men who sell letters)" of Suga-jinja Shrine the other day. It is a ritual event of Setsubun which is said to bring blessings such as beauty and marriage.There are many shrines and temples in Kyoto that offer blessings for beauty and marriage.Among them, this time we will introduce "Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine" in the middle of Gojozaka.The enshrined deities are Emperor Ojin, his father, Emperor Chuai and his mother, Empress Jingu.Empress Jingu is said to be a beautiful woman who is also known as the god of child rearing and easy delivery.There is a full-length mirror at the side of the main shrine, so you can check your whole body before you worship.Speaking of mirrors, the "The Mirror of Beauty OMAMORI (amulet) " presented here is unique in that it is a compact mirror.The "chance victor OMAMORI (amulet)" which is handmade by a craftsman and has a sacred mirror on a stone base is also authentic.The pottery god Shiinetsuhiko no Mikoto was enshrined together in the Showa period.For this reason, it is also called "Toki (pottery) jinja Shrine".Gojozaka where Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine is located is the birthplace of Kiyomizuyaki.The area is lined with pottery shops and there is also the "Kyoto Tochika Exhibition Center" which specializes in Kyo-yaki pottery and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery.It may also fulfill a woman's dream of "on a pottery-like skin".Wakamiya Hachiman-gu-sha Shrine5- 480 Gojohashihigashi, Higashiyama-ward, Kyoto5 minutes walk from Gojozaka City bus stophttps://wakamiya-hachimangu.jp/Here is for What is "Keso-Fumi-Uri (2 men who sell letters)"?