Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine (Japanese: 下鴨神社, Hepburn: Shimogamo-jinja), is a significant Shinto holy site in Kyoto city's Sakyō ward in the Shimogamo district. The formal name of the shrine is Kamo-mioya-jinja (賀茂御祖神社). Shimogamo Shrine is among the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, dating back to the 6th century. It is also recognized as one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The name Kamo-jinja refers generally to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, which are two traditionally linked shrines in Kyoto. Shimogamo Shrine is the older of the two Kamo shrines in Kyoto, believed to be around 100 years older than Kamigamo. It dates back to the 6th century, which is centuries before Kyoto became Japan's capital in 794 (known as Heian-kyō). The Kamo-jinja serve the purpose of guarding Kyoto from harmful forces. The term "jinja" denotes the deities of the Kamo family that are worshiped in the shrine. It also refers to the surrounding forest, which used to be a part of the ancient Tadasu forest (Tadasu no Mori). Additionally, the shrine's name honors the Kamo clan, the early inhabitants of the region, many of whom still reside in the area and have traditionally served the shrine. Shimogamo Shrine honors the worship of Tamayori-hime (also known as 'the spirit-inviting maiden') and her father, Kamo Taketsunomi. Tamayori-hime is the mother of Kamo Wakeikazuchi, the thunder god of Kamo, and was impregnated by Honoikazuchi-no-mikoto, the God of Fire and Thunder. The Kamigamo Shrine is a shrine in Kyoto and it is dedicated to Kamo Wakeikazuchi. This shrine worships gods that are related to thunder. Gallery Related pages List of Shinto shrines in Japan Twenty-Two Shrines Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines References Other websites Media related to Shimogamo-jinja at Wikimedia Commons Shimogamo Shrine website (in Japanese)