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Kamo Shrine
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The Kamo Shrines, and are a pair of Shinto shrines which were formerly located outside Kyoto, but in the 20th century they came to be incorporated within the expanded boundaries of the ancient capital city.
Kamo Shrines are among the oldest shrines in the country; and the Kamigamo-jinja is the oldest shrine in the city of Kyoto. Along with several other shrines, temples and castles in the city, they figure prominently among the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
ough Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are considered to be paired, they are not located next to each other.
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Encyclopedia
The Kamo Shrines, and are a pair of Shinto shrines which were formerly located outside Kyoto, but in the 20th century they came to be incorporated within the expanded boundaries of the ancient capital city.
History
The Kamo Shrines are among the oldest shrines in the country; and the Kamigamo-jinja is the oldest shrine in the city of Kyoto. Along with several other shrines, temples and castles in the city, they figure prominently among the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Paired shrines
Although Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines are considered to be paired, they are not located next to each other. Approximately 2km. distance separates these two Shinto shrine complexes.
Kamigamo Shrine
The official name for the Kamigamo Shrine is .
Kamigamo Shrine (Upper Kamo Shrine) is the more recently founded of the pair. 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 removed the capital from Nara to Heian-kyo.
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
The official name for the Shimogamo Shrine is .
Shimogamo Shrine (Lower Kamo Shrine), further south, is believed to be 100 years older, dating back to the 6th century. Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei (806-809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinju was amongst a select number of establishments which had been granted a divine seal for use on documents. The seal would have been enshrined in its own unique mikoshi (Oshite jinja). This granting of a special seal and the practices associated with its use and preservation conformed to a pattern established by Emperor Konin (770-781) in 778 (Hoki 9).
Imperial progresses to the shrines
- April 29, 1863 (Bunkyu 3, on the 11th day of the 3rd month ): Emperor Komei made an Imperial progress to the Kamo Shrines. He was accompanied by the shogun, all the principal officials and many feudal lords. This was the first Imperial progress since Emperor Go-Mizunoo visited Nijo Castle more than 230 years before; and no Emperor had visited Kamo since Emperor Go-Daigo honored both shrines in Kemmu 1 (1334).
- October 25, 1334 (Kemmu 1, 27th day of the 9th month): Emperor Go-Daigo made an Imperial progress to Kamo-jinja.
Shinto belief
Kamigamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the kami of thunder; Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of his mother Kamo Tamayori-hime and her father Kamo Taketsune. Both feature prominently in the Aoi Festival, which occurs in May and involves a procession between the two shrines, horse races, and archery.
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, 'the forest of truth,' a primeval forest that is reputed to have never been burneddown. 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.
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