Kamomioya-jinja Shrine (賀茂御祖神社)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine is located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. It is commonly known as Shimogamo-jinja Shrine (Lower Kamo Shrine). It was a Shikinaisha, listed in the Register of Deities (jimmyocho) of the Engishiki law as one of the Nijunisha (The 22 shrines), ichi-no-miya (primary shrines) of the former Yamashiro province and was categorized as a Kampei Taisha (Great Imperial Shrine) under the previous shrine ranking system.
Along with Kamo-wakeikazuchi-jinja Shrine (Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, or 'Upper Kamo Shrine') it enshrines ancient ujigami of the Kamo clan, and the pair generally being referred to as Kamo-jinja Shrine (Kamo-sha) and treated as paired shrines. Both Kamo-jinja Shrines are well known for the Kamo Festival (Aoi-matsuri Festival).
It is called 'Kamomioya-jinja Shrine' from the fact that enshrines the deity of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, Kamowakeikazuchi-no-mikoto's mother Tamayorihime-no-mikoto, and her father Kamotaketsunumi-no-mikoto within. The yata-garasu (three legged crow) personifies Kamotaketsunumi-no-mikoto.
The site also includes the Tadasu-no-Mori forest and Mitarashi-ike pond.
History
The Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. According to legend, the enshrined deity descended at Mt. Mikage-yama during the reign of Emperor Jimmu. There are records of the fence surrounding the honden (main hall) being repaired in BC 90 and some theories claim that the shrine may have been established around this time. One theory even claims that this shrine was split from Kamigamo-jinja Shrine during the Tempyo period. Along with Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, this shrine has been revered by the Imperial Court since before the Nara period. After the capital was relocated to Heian, the shrine became even more highly revered by the Imperial Court and was granted the highest possible status, Shoichii (Senior First Rank), in 807 with the Kamo Festival being held by royal order. The Jimmyocho (the list of deities) of the Engishiki law ranks it as a Myojin Taisha (a grand shrine that enshrines a high-ranked deity) and states that received offerings at each festival such as the Myojin-sai festival, Tsukinami-sai festival, Ainame-sai festival and Niname-sai festival. For approximately 400 years from 810, unmarried imperial princesses served as Saiin and Saio (priestesses) at the Kamo-sha shrine.
Festivals
January 15: Okayu-sai (rice porridge festival)
May 3: Yabusame-shinji (horseback archery)
May 12: Mikage Festival
May 15: Aoi-matsuri Festival
Sessha shrines (attached shrines)
Kawai-jinja Shrine (Shikinaisha listed in Engishiki, Myojin Taisha, by its formal name 'Kamonokawaai ni imasu okosoyakeno jinja.' Connected to KAMO no Chomei).
Mutsu-no-yashiro Shrine
Tobe-no-yashiro Shrine
Mitsui-sha Shrine
Izumo-Inoe-jinja Shrine (Shikinaisha listed in Engishiki)
Iwamoto-sha Shrine
Hashimoto-sha Shrine
Mitsui-jinja Shrine (Shikinaisha listed in Engishiki, Myojin Taisha)
Suwa-sha Shrine
Komori-sha Shrine
Shirahige-sha Shrine
Kamohani-jinja Shrine
Inari-sha Shrine
Mikage-jinja Shrine
Hiyoshi-jinja Shrine
Massha shrines (subordinate shrines)
Inji-sha Shrine
Koto-sha Shrine
Inoue-sha Shrine
Aioi-sha Shrine
Atago-sha Shrine
Inari-sha Shrine
Harai-sha Shrine
Inno-sha Shrine
Sawada-sha Shrine
Kawasaki-sha Shrine
Kamo Saiin Rekidai Saio Jinrei-sha Shrine (enshrining those Imperial princesses who served as Saiin and Saio)
Architecture
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine East Honden (main hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine West Honden (main hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Noritoya (ritual prayer hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Heiden (hall of offerings)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Eastern and Western passageways (2)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Eastern and Western Goryoya (where food for the gods is prepared) (2)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Azekura (storehouse)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Four-legged inner gate
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Eastern and Western Gakunoya (bandstand) (2)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Inner gate Eastern and Western corridors (2)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Azukariya
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Western Kara-mon gate
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Maidono (stage)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Shimpukuden hall (where winter and summer clothing are sewn and offered to the deities)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Hashidono (performance area built over a stream)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Hosodono (long thin worship hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Kugosho (where food for the gods is prepared)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Ooidokoro (where rice is cooked)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Ro-mon gate
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Ro-mon gate Eastern and Western corridors (2)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Sessha Izumo-Inoe-jinja Shrine Honden (main hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Sessha Mitsui-jinja Shrine Honden (3)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Sessha Mitsui-jinja Shrine Haiden (worship hall)
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Sessha Mitsui-jinja Shrine Muna-mon Gate
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine Sessha Mitsui-jinja Shrine Eastern and Western hallways (2)
The following are additional wooden structures that are not classified as buildings.
Additional wooden structures of Main Shrine
Massha Inji-sha Shrine main hall
Massha Hitokoto-sha Shrine main halls (2)
Massha Futakoto-sha Shrine main halls (2)
Massha Mikoto-sha Shrine main halls (3)
Sukibei (see-through fence)
Additional wooden structures of Sessha Izumo-Inoe-jinja Shrine
Iwamoto-sha Shrine main hall
Hashimoto-sha Shrine main hall
Additional wooden structures of Sessha Mitsui-jinja Shrine
Mitsui-jinja Shrine Massha main halls (Suwa-sha Shrine, Komori-sha Shrine, Shirahige-sha Shrine) (3)
Events
Kemari hajime (every January 4)
Hono-enbu (hosted by Shimogamo-jinja Shrine every May 4 in cooperation with the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Classical Martial Arts)
Shimogamo Noryo Furuhon Matsuri (a book fair held in mid August and hosted by the Kyoto Kosho Kenkyukai)
Other
Kamosha-gohongu-no-ezu'
Kamosha-kozu'
Famous and Historic Places
World Heritage: '{Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto}' Cultural Heritage Site
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine' National Designated Historic Site
Access
Nearest station: Keihan Electric Railway Demachiyanagi Station
Car parking available
Timeline
The related event is given in <>
December 26, 927: <Engishiki laws completed>
July 9, 967: <Engishiki laws enacted>
May 14, 1871: