NARA ＳMALL SHRINES: NORTH OF SANJO-DORI (2)
- José Carlos Gómez Delgado
- Mar 10, 2016
- 2 min read
We continue the post of the shrines of Nara with others interesting examples of native religion of Japan.
In Kitamachi area is the Kitaichi Ebisu-jinja, little more than a small torii between two buildings, and the same style shrine Shouichiitadadaimyoujin. The first took me several tries to find it. It draws attention how they built around it, leaving them sandwiched between the adjacent houses. The second one has a somewhat macabre story, because it was the place where the condemned were executed in Edo Period
Yashima-jinja is in the same area, but closer Kintetsu Nara Station. If the Kitaichiebisujinja is hard to find this is much more so, since it is literally hidden in an opening between several buildings. I was lucky enough to glimpse the red torii at the end of a narrow gallery which is the only access to the tiny sanctuary.
Further north and just to the river bank from which it takes its name, hides Sahogawa Tenmangu. It can be guessed behind a thick gate, and from the other side of the river, where we glimpse the honden. Only it opens for festivities and practices concerning the neighborhood.
We change area, although keeping us north of the city center. Focus our search in the quiet rural atmosphere of the neighborhoods which extend north of the Imperial Palace Park, Unatari-jinja is inside of a small copse adjacent to the park. This sanctuary is surrounded by a wall and a large gate, so it is a bit difficult to take a look. Is possible that only open for certain festivities.
It is also impossible to access the Tennouguhokkeji-jinja, a tiny sanctuary abducted by the houses built around it, so that access can only be made from them. From the street the torii and honden can be seen.
This another shrine is located in Hokkeji Temple, which is a widespread practice in Japan demonstrating the religious syncretism of the country, which allows celebrate various important religious rites by one religion or another.
Samples of the Shinto religiosity are also these little places that not even be considered as sanctuaries in themselves but are a representation of the presence of small kami or deity. They can be found in the corners of the streets, riverbanks, road junctions, etc. There are even sacred trees marking the place where there used to a sanctuary.
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