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 Shrine
5- 480 Gojo-bashi-higashi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City (Inside Wakamiya Hachiman-gu Shrine)
5 minutes walk from Gojozaka, City bus stop
