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.[1]
The Kamo Shrine encompasses what are now independent but traditionally associated jinja or shrines: the Kamigamo Shrine (formal name: Kamo-wakeikazuchi jinja) in Kyoto's Kita Ward, and the Shimogamo Shrine (formal name: Kamo-mioya jinja) in Sakyo Ward.[1]
They are amongst the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[3]
The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the "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.[2]
Shimogamo Shrine is dedicated to the veneration of Tamayori-hime (玉依姫;
lit., the spirit-inviting maiden) and her father, Kamo Taketsunomi
(賀茂建角身). Tamayori-hime is the mother of Kamo Wakeikazuchi (賀茂別雷; the
thunder-divider of Kamo), who was sired by Honoikazuchi-no-mikoto (火雷神;
the God of Fire and Thunder).[5][6] Kamigamo Shrine, the other of the two Kamo shrines of Kyoto, is dedicated to Kamo Wakeikazuchi. These kami are variously associated with thunder.
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.[1]
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