Kamo shrines

{{infobox religious building | name = {{nihongo|'''Kamo Shrine'''|賀茂神社|Kamo-jinja}} | image = Shimogamo Jinja no Torii.jpg | caption = A pair of torii gates at Shimogamo Shrine. | map_type = Japan | map_alt = | coordinates = {{Coord|35|03|37|N|135|45|10|E|region:JP_type:landmark|display=title,inline}} | map_relief = | map_size = | religious_affiliation = Shinto | type = | deity = | founded_by = | established = | date_destroyed = | location = | website = | architecture_style = | festival = | leadership = }} {{nihongo|'''Kamo Shrine'''|賀茂神社|Kamo-jinja}} is a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines.<ref name="intro1">McCullough, Helen Craig. (1994). [https://books.google.com/books?id=QfJj1lLzLbEC&dq=kamo+shrines&pg=PA474 ''Genji and Heike: selections from The tale of Genji and The tale of the Heike,'' p. 474]; Iwao, Seiichi ''et al.'' (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=NBlDYE38ODYC&pg=PA1405 ''Dictionnaire historique du Japon,'' p. 1405]; Kyoto Prefectural Government Tourism Division: [http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/01/ Kamigamo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828050742/http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/theme/sites/shrines/w_heritage/01/ |date=2009-08-28 }}.</ref> The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the {{nihongo|"devil's gate"|鬼門|kimon}} due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east corner brought misfortune. Because the Kamo River runs from the north-east direction into the city, the two shrines along the river were intended to prevent demons from entering the city.<ref>Miyazaki, Makoto. [http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens170.htm "Lens on Japan: Defending Heiankyo from Demons,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321000139/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/columns/0005/lens170.htm |date=2011-03-21 }} ''Daily Yomiuri.'' December 20, 2005.</ref>

The Kamo Shrine encompasses what are now independent but traditionally associated ''jinja'' or shrines: the {{Nihongo|Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine|賀茂別雷神社|''Kamo-wakeikazuchi jinja''}} in Kyoto's Kita Ward, and the {{Nihongo|"Kamo-mioya Shrine'"|賀茂御祖神社|''Kamo-mioya jinja''}} in Sakyo Ward.<ref name="intro1"/> They are amongst the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.<ref>Kamigamo-jinja: [http://www.kamigamojinja.jp/english/index-e.html "Links"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221145021/http://kamigamojinja.jp/english/index-e.html |date=2009-02-21 }}; Shimogamo-jinja: [http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/english/index.html "Tadasu-no-mori (Forest of justice)"].</ref>

The ''jinja'' name identifies the clustered ''kami'' or deities who are venerated at the Kamo Shrine; and the name refers to the ambit of shrine's encircling woods. The shrine name also references the area's early inhabitants, the Kamo clan, many of whom continue to live near the shrine their ancestors traditionally served.<ref>Nelson, John K. (2000). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPchlKNrj0UC&dq=kamo+clan&pg=PA92 ''Enduring Identities: The Guise of Shinto in Contemporary Japan,'' pp. 92-99.]</ref> The Kamo are credited with establishing this Shinto sacred place.<ref>Iwaso, [https://books.google.com/books?id=NBlDYE38ODYC&pg=PA1712 p. 1712.]</ref>

The formal names of corollary ''jinja'' memorialize vital roots in a history which pre-dates the founding of Japan's ancient capital.<ref name="intro1"/> Although now incorporated within boundaries of the city, the ''Tadasu no Mori'' location was a site planning factor.<ref>Terry, Philip. (1914). [https://books.google.com/books?id=9ipbUA13CHoC&dq=tadasu+no+mori&pg=PA479 ''Terry's Japanese empire,'' p. 479.]</ref> It is theorized that this forest was the primeval forest home of the sacerdotal Kamo clan, who were the exclusive caretakers of the shrine from prehistoric times.<ref>Nelson, [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPchlKNrj0UC&dq=kamo+clan&pg=PA67 pp. 67-69.]</ref> The boundaries of today's smaller forest encompasses approximately 12.4 hectares, which are preserved as a national historical site (を国の史跡). The woods of this sacred grove are designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site along with other Shinto shrines in its environs.<ref>Shimogamo-jinja: [http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/english/index.html "Tadasu-no-mori (Forest of justice)"]</ref>

[[File:Tadasu-no-Mori.jpg|thumb|right|This pathway leads through ''Tadasu no Mori'' (the "Forest Where Lies are Revealed").]] The shrine's annual festival, ''Kamo no Matsuri'', also called Aoi Matsuri, is the oldest of Kyoto's three major festivals. The others are Jidai Matsuri and Gion Matsuri.<ref name="intro1"/>

==Shinto belief== The popular name for ''Kamo-wakeikazuchi jinja'' is the ''Kamigamo jinja'' or Kamigamo Shrine, also called Upper Shrine. In part, it is called the "upper" shrine because it is situated on the east bank of the {{nihongo|'''Kamo River'''|鴨川 or 賀茂川|''Kamo-gawa''}} up-stream from its non-identical twin.<ref name="shively181">Shively, Donald H. (1999). [https://books.google.com/books?id=eiTWWfoyuyAC&pg=RA1-PA181 ''The Cambridge History of Japan: Heian Japan'', p. 181.]</ref>

The more commonly used name for ''Kamo-mioya jinja'' is the ''Shimogamo jinja'' or Shimogamo Shrine, also called the Lower Shrine. In part, it is called the "lower" shrine because it is situated at the confluence of the {{nihongo|Takano River|高野川|Takano-gawa}} and the Kamo River down-stream from its twin.<ref name="shively181"/>

The Kamo Shrine is so named because its rituals and festivals are designed to assist in the veneration of the Kamo family of kami and other associated deities; and Kamo kami (''kami-no-Kamo'') is referenced in other Shinto contexts. In the "Congratulatory Words of the Chieftain of Izumo," the "sacred grove of Kamo" is mentioned along with other wooded Shinto sanctuaries at Ō-miwa, Unade and Asuka:

::Then, Ō-namochi-no-mikoto said: ::"The Sovereign Grandchild<ref>Here the term "Sovereign Grandchild" refers to the Emperor of Japan.</ref> will dwell peacefully in the land of Yamato." ::Thus saying, he attached his peaceful spirit ::To a mirror of large dimensions, ::Eulogizing it by the name ::Yamato-no-Ō-mono-nushi-Kushi-mika-tama-no-mikoto, ::And had it dwell in the sacred grove of Ō-miwa. ::He caused the spirit of his son ::Aji-suki-taka-hiko-ne-no-mikoto ::To dwell in the sacred grove of Kamo in Kaduraki;<ref>Mt. Kaduraki -- ''see'' Ashkenazi, Michael. (2003). [https://books.google.com/books?id=gqs-y9R2AekC&dq=kaduraki&pg=PA166 ''Handbook of Japanese mythology,'' p. 166.]</ref> ::Caused the spirit of Koto-shiro-nushi-no-mikoto ::To dwell in Unade; ::And caused the spirit of Kayanarumi-no-mikoto ::To dwell in the sacred grove of Asuka.<ref>de Bary, Theodore ''et al.'' (2001). [https://books.google.com/books?id=eY5NhC1DXY8C&dq=Sources+of+Japanese+Tradition+and+sacred+grove&pg=PA39 ''Sources of Japanese Tradition,'' p. 39], citing Philippi, Donald L. [https://books.google.com/books?id=WrxlVUAvS88C&dq=Norito&pg=PP1 ''Norito,'' pp. 73-74.]</ref>

At the Kamigamo Shrine, Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the ''kami'' of thunder, is the focus of attention and reverence.<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1964). ''Visiting Famous Shrines in Japan,'' pp. 119-175.</ref>

Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi's mother, Kamo Tamayori-hime. Shimogamo is also dedicated to Kamo Taketsune, who is the father of Kamo Taayori-hime.<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, ''Visiting Shrines,'' pp. 1-118.</ref>

All feature prominently in the annual Aoi Festival, which occurs in May. Featured in this event are a procession between the two shrines, horse races, and demonstrations of mounted archery (''yabusame'').

Kamigamo Shrine's two large conical sand mounds memorialize the holy trees that once served to welcome spirits.

Shimogama Shrine has since become one of the key shrines in the area, being associated with prayers to ensure the success of the annual rice harvest. The Shrine is located within ''Tadasu no Mori'' (糺の森), 'the forest of truth,' a primeval forest that is reputed to have never been burned down. The forest has, in fact, suffered some damage over the centuries when all of Kyoto was burned during successive revolts and wars; but the forest growth has rebounded again and again. ''Tadasu no mori'' is left to grow in its natural state. It is neither planted nor pruned.<ref name="aus1"/>

Although Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are considered to be paired or twinned, they are not located next to each other. Approximately 2 km. distance separates these two Shinto shrine complexes,<ref name="aus1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kyoto_shimogamo_shrine.htm |title=Shimgamo Shrine |access-date=2012-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104163318/http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kyoto_shimogamo_shrine.htm |archive-date=2015-01-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which can be explained in part because shrines on the outskirts of Heian-kyō were developed to prevent the infiltration of demons. The Kamogawa river descends from an ill-omened direction; and the shrines along the flow were positioned in order to prevent demons from using the river to enter the city.<ref>Miyazaki, "Defending Heiankyo."</ref> Although Kamo-jinja is not directly on the banks of the Kamo River, the site locations were positioned as part of a plan for mitigating the consequences of periodic flooding.<ref>Katsuya Atsuo. [http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200016/000020001600A0513495.php "Historical Study on Kamo-Wakeikazuchi Shrine and Myojin River in the Kamigamo Area."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229032757/http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200016/000020001600A0513495.php |date=2012-02-29 }} ''Bulletin of the Institute for National Land Utilization Development'' (Kyoto Sangyo University), No. 21, pp. 13-31 (2000).</ref>

==History== [[File:Shimogamo-Sazareishi-M1641.jpg|thumb|right|''Sazare-Ishi'' (conglomerate rock) alludes to pebbles which are said to grow into boulders as described in the lyrics of ''Kimi ga Yo.''<ref>Guichard-Anguis, Sylvie ''et al.'' (2009). {{Google books|3yTBsgZcsD8C|''Japanese tourism and travel culture,'' p. 32.|page=32}}</ref>]] The shrines became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period.<ref>Breen, John ''et al.'' (2000). [https://books.google.com/books?id=MADlfH002mAC&q=oharano ''Shinto in History: Ways of the Kami,'' pp. 74-75.]</ref> In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian ''kami,'' including those venerated at the Kamo Shrine. These ''heihaku'' were initially presented to 16 shrines.<ref>Ponsonby-Fane. ''Studies,'' pp. 116-117.</ref>

The lower shrine is that of a ''kami'' mother; and the upper shrine is that of her ''kami'' offspring (mikogami). The head priests of both have the same title, ''Kamo-no-Agata-no Nushi.''<ref>Wheeler, Post. (1976). [https://books.google.com/books?id=MLUqAAAAYAAJ&q=lower+Kamo ''The sacred scriptures of the Japanese,'' p. 482.]</ref> In ''agata-no-nushi'' titles, the appended noun is typically a place name; but in a Taihō ritsuryō consolidation, the Kamo mirror the Yamato clan's amalgamating conventions in merging the area, its name, its sacred centers and its ''kami'' within a single nominative identifier.<ref>Nelson, [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPchlKNrj0UC&dq=lower+Kamo&pg=PA220 p. 95.]</ref>

===Kamigamo Shrine===

{{Main|Kamigamo Shrine}} [[File:Kamo-wakeikazuchi-jinja12n4272.jpg|thumb|right|''Tatesuna'' are a pair of standing cones of sand in front of Sai-Den at ''Kamigamo-jinja''. They are traditionally construed as allusions to a pair of sacred mountains.<ref>JapanVisitor: [http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=406&pID=1420 Kamigamo]</ref>]] From 1871 through 1946, the Kamigamo Shrine was officially designated one of the {{nihongo|''Kanpei-taisha''|官幣大社}}, meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.<ref name="ponsonby124">Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' pp. 124.</ref>

It is famous for its ''haiden'' (worship hall), rebuilt in 1628-1629 (''Kan'ei 6''). A number of priests' residences are situated on its grounds, and one, the Nishimura House, is open to the public.

===Shimogamo Shrine===

{{Main|Shimogamo Shrine}} The Shimogamo Shrine was officially designated ''Kanpei-taisha'' in 1871.<ref name="ponsonby124"/>

Shimogamo Shrine is believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo Shrine, dating back to the 6th century.

A shrine structure was erected in 678 during the reign of the Emperor Tenmu, and this became the principal building during the reign or of the Emperor Kanmu when he transferred the capital from Heijō-kyō, and Nagaoka-kyō to Heian-kyō.<ref>GoJapanGo: [http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kyoto_shimogamo_shrine.htm Shimgamo Shrine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104163318/http://www.gojapango.com/travel/kyoto_shimogamo_shrine.htm |date=2015-01-04 }}</ref>

===Imperial progresses to the shrines===

*January 16, 795 (''Enryaku 13, 21st day of the 12th month''): Emperor Kanmu made an Imperial progress to both Kamo shrines.<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1934). [https://books.google.com/books?id=oEEVAAAAMAAJ&q=kamo+SHRINE ''Kamo-mioya Shrine'', p. 29.]</ref> * October 25, 1334 (''Kenmu 1, 27th day of the 9th month''): Emperor Go-Daigo made an Imperial progress to Kamo-jinja.<ref name="p325">Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). ''Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794–1869'', p. 325.</ref> * April 29, 1863 (''Bunkyū 3, on the 11th day of the 3rd month ''): Emperor Kōmei made an Imperial progress to the Kamo Shrines. He was accompanied by the shōgun, all the principal officials and many feudal lords. This was the first Imperial progress since Emperor Go-Mizunoo visited Nijō Castle more than 230 years before; and no Emperor had visited Kamo since Emperor Go-Daigo honored both shrines in ''Kenmu'' 1 (1334).<ref name="p325"/>

==List of Kamo shrines==

* Shimogamo Shrine * Kamigamo Shrine * Kanamura Wake Ikazuchi Shrine

==Notes== {{reflist|2}}

==References== * Ashkenazi, Michael. (2003). [https://books.google.com/books?id=gqs-y9R2AekC&q=kaduraki ''Handbook of Japanese mythology.''] Santa Barbara, California: ABC-Clio. {{ISBN|978-1-57607-467-1}} * Benson, John. (2003). [https://books.google.com/books?id=nLIqAAAAYAAJ&q=DK+Eyewitness+Travel+Guide:+JAPAN ''Japan.''] London: Dorling Kindersley. {{ISBN|978-0-7894-9719-2}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/52965361 OCLC 52965361] * Breen, John and Mark Teeuwen. (2000). [https://books.google.com/books?id=MADlfH002mAC&q=nijunisha ''Shinto in History: Ways of the Kami.''] Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8248-2363-4}} * de Bary, Theodore, Donald Keene and Yoshiko Kurata Dykstra. (1958). [https://books.google.com/books?id=eY5NhC1DXY8C&q=Sources+of+Japanese+Tradition ''Sources of Japanese Tradition.''] New York: Columbia University Press. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/220375147?referer=di&ht=edition OCLC 220375147] * Guichard-Anguis, Sylvie and Okpyo Moon. (2009). [https://books.google.com/books?id=3yTBsgZcsD8C&q=Sazare-Ishi ''Japanese Tourism and Travel Culture.''] London: Taylor & Francis. {{ISBN|9780415470018}} {{ISBN|9780203886670}} {{ISBN|0203886674}}; [https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/227922678 OCLC 227922678] * Hall, John Whitney, Donald Shively and William H. McCullough. (1999). [https://books.google.com/books?id=eiTWWfoyuyAC&q=lower+Kamo ''The Cambridge History of Japan: Heian Japan.''] Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-521-22353-9}} * Nelson, John K. (2000). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SPchlKNrj0UC&q=kamo+and+branch ''Enduring Identities: The Guise of Shinto in Contemporary Japan.''] Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8248-2259-0}} * Perkins, George W. (1998). [https://books.google.com/books?id=quaeAAAAIAAJ&q=The+Clear+Mirror ''The clear mirror: a chronicle of the Japanese court during the Kamakura period (1185-1333).'' ] Stanford: Stanford University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8047-2953-6}} * Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1934). [https://books.google.com/books?id=oEEVAAAAMAAJ&q=kamo+SHRINEs ''Kamo-mioya Shrine.''] Kobe: J. L. Thompson. {{OCLC|6045058}} * ____________. (1956). [https://books.google.com/books?id=OpOdHQAACAAJ&q=Kyoto:+The+Old+Capital+of+Japan,+794-1869 ''Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/36644 OCLC 36644] * ____________. (1959). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SLAeAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Imperial+House+of+Japan ''The Imperial House of Japan.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/194887 OCLC 194887] * ____________. (1962). [https://books.google.com/books?id=tjEvAAAAYAAJ&q=Studies+in+Shinto+and+Shrines ''Studies in Shinto and Shrines.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/3994492 OCLC 399449] * ____________. (1963). [https://books.google.com/books?id=IGkrAAAAIAAJ&q=Vicissitudes+of+Shinto ''Vicissitudes of Shinto.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. [http://www.worldcat.org/wcpa/oclc/36655 OCLC 36655] * ____________. (1964). [https://books.google.com/books?id=_6rXAAAAMAAJ&q=Visiting+famous+shrines+in+japan ''Visiting Famous Shrines in Japan.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby-Fane Memorial Society. {{OCLC|1030156}} * Terry, Thomas Philip. (1914). [https://books.google.com/books?id=9ipbUA13CHoC&q=tadasu+no+mori ''Terry's Japanese empire: including Korea and Formosa, with chapters on Manchuria, the Trans-Siberian railway, and the chief ocean routes to Japan; a guidebook for travelers.''] New York: Houghton Mifflin. {{OCLC|2832259}} * Wheeler, Post. (1976). [https://books.google.com/books?id=MLUqAAAAYAAJ&q=lower+Kamo ''The sacred scriptures of the Japanese: with all authoritative variants, chronologically arranged, setting forth the narrative of the creation of the cosmos, the divine descent of the sky-ancestor of the imperial house and the lineage of the earthly emperors.''] Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. {{ISBN|978-0-8371-8393-0}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/263528152 OCLC 263528152]

==External links== {{Commons category|Kamo-jinja}} * [http://www.kamigamojinja.jp/english/index.html Kamigamo Shrine website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023181947/http://www.kamigamojinja.jp/english/index.html |date=2017-10-23 }} * [https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/english Shimogamo Shrine website]

Category:7th-century Shinto shrines Category:90 BC Category:90s BC establishments Category:National Treasures (Japan) Category:Shinto shrines in Kyoto Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan Category:Chokusaisha

Kamo shrines

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