Enduring Identities: The Guise of Shinto in Contemporary Japan

Appendix I: Symbols, Pavilions, and Signs at Kamigamo Shrine

249 A P P E N D I X 1 SYMBOLS, PAVILIONS, AND SIGNS AT KAMIGAMO SHRINE Among the most noticeable symbols of Kamigamo Shrine are the “standing sand cones,” or tatesuna. These symbolize not only the original sacred mountain, Kōyama, but also the generative power of yin and yang, male (left cone) and female (right), that Shinto regards as worthy of veneration. This special sand is used in purifying an area, and visitors may purchase some to take home for use in their gardens or elsewhere . One might also notice the different representations of the aoi or “hollyhock” crest found on rooftops, railings, amulets, and banners. It too has yin-yang connotations , and it serves as the primary symbol associated with Kamigamo Shrine. Most of the pavilions at Kamigamo Shrine are registered as “important cultural assets” or “treasures” by the national government. The structure immediately behind the “standing sand cones” is the Hosodono, used once a year during the Crow Sumo Festival (see sign F below for a description of the saiin tradition). On one side isthesmallshrineHashimoto-sha,whosekamiisSoto-orihime,withpowerstoguard crossings and transitions, while to the south bridging the stream is the Hashidono, where the imperial messenger delivers his prayer during the Aoi Festival of May and where important purifications are performed, as on June 30. Finally and most frequently used, the Tsuchinoya is the main site of purification before a ritual, where wooden wands are waved over priests and participants, then broken and cast into the river to be carried away “to the bottom of the sea.” As one enters the Rōmon, or Tower Gate, the building to the right is the Gokitōden, a hall used for rituals of dedication or purification that individuals, families, companies, and others have requested the shrine to perform. Continuing up the stone stairs to the Chūmon, or Middle Gate, area (open to the general public only at New Year’s), one looks inside to see the Honden (Main Hall of Wake Ikazuchi) on the right and the Gonden (Secondary Hall of Taketsunomi-no-mikoto) on the left. Both are registered national treasures. S I G N S The following descriptions are literal translations of the signs one sees on the shrine grounds. By matching the letters below with those on the map of Kamigamo Shrine precincts, the location of a sign can be paired with its description. Where necessary, brief clarifications have been added in brackets. a. notice: Riding vehicles or horses, fishing and hunting birds, cutting bamboo or trees: these three things are prohibited [within] shrine grounds. b. notice: After this point is shrine property. Without permission, you can’t disturb the beauty of the area or its scenery, or [do things that] impair the dignity of the place. In addition, the following activities are prohibited: Putting up stalls for the purpose of selling Handing out flyers, brochures, advertisements, or political or religious messages Putting up posters or billboards Public speeches Bothering the worshipers Parishioners’ Group Kamo Wake Ikazuchi Jinja c. special preservation for historical places: The red lines on the map indicate a specially designated area of historical significance to be preserved . Kyoto city is controlling and regulating the reconstruction and rebuilding of houses and buildings, the cutting of trees and bamboo, and changes to the original landscape in this area. When it is necessary, the city buys land to maintain this area’s historical flavor and is thus making an effort to preserve this area. Please cooperate to keep the landscape of the old city. Kyoto City Planning Department d. geheiden: When top-ranking officials Hō-ō and Jō-kō came to the shrine, they rested and took meals at this pavilion. It is currently used for the keiba shinji [the festival of racehorses] and the Kamo Festival. This building was rebuilt in 1628 and is registered as an “important cultural treasure.” 250 APPENDIX Map of Kamigamo Shrine and shrine precincts. e. shinme-sha: The shrine’s white horse, thought to be a messenger and conveyance for the kami, is sheltered in this building on weekends and festival days, and is honored in its own ritual on January 7. f. kamigamo jinja/kamigamo shrine: The kami enshrined here is Wake Ikazuchi. The shrine worships this kami because of a mythological event in which Princess Tamayori was playing beside the little stream called Mitarashi and noticed a...