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Jonangu Shrine (Rakusuien Garden,location,history)
Jonangu Shrine, Rakusuien Garden
The information about Jonangu Shrine is presented here. In the late Heian period (794-1185), the 72nd Emperor Shirakawa and the 74th Emperor Toba built Jonan Rikyu (Detached Palace) around Jonangu Shrine, and when Jonan Rikyu became the base of the insei (cloistered government), Jonangu Shrine was worshipped as the guardian of Jonan Rikyu. Later, Jonangu Shrine was also worshipped as the god who protects the Ura-kimon (Back Demon Gate) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Jonangu Shrine was also worshipped as the god who protects people from directions and warding off evil.
【Jonangu Shrine Location Map & Directions】
Address: 7 Nakajima Toba Rikyu-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Takeda station (about 15 minutes on foot), Jonangu bus stop (about 1 minutes on foot)
【Opening Hours & Closed (confirmation required)】
Opening Hours: 9:00-16:30
Closed: open year round
【Entrance Fees & Tickets (confirmation required)】
Individual (Rakusuien): Adults, College and High School Students 600 yen, Junior High School Students and Children 400 yen
【Jonangu Shrine History】
It is said that Mahataki Shrine (真幡寸神社), which is a sub-shrine of Jonangu Shrine, was founded during the Kofun period (mid 3rd century-7th century). During the Sankan-seibatsu (conquest) by Empress Jingu, the empress of the 14th Emperor Nakai, a flag hoisted on a ship was enshrined at Mahataki Shrine, along with the spirit of Empress Jingu and Okuninushi-no-kami (Yachihoko-no-kami). When the 50th Emperor Kanmu moved the capital to Heian-kyo in 794, Jonangu Shrine was founded to pray for the safety of the country and the protection of the capital. Jonangu Shrine enshrined Kuninotokodachi-no-mikoto with Yachihoko-no-kami (Okuninushi-no-mikoto) and Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto (Empress Jingu), and was worshipped as Jonan-no-Okami. In addition, Jonan Palace has become a god that protects the Ura-kimon (Back Demon Gate) of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is also said that Jonangu Shrine became a government shrine in 816. In the middle of the Heian period (794-1185), Mahataki Shrine was listed as a shikinai-sha (shrine) in the “Engishiki Jinmeicho”. It is said that the shrine was named Jonangu Shrine in 1087 because of its location to the south of Heian-kyo. In the late Heian period (794-1185), the 72nd Emperor Shirakawa and the 74th Emperor Toba built the Jonan Rikyu (Toba Rikyu) and began the insei (cloistered government), and Jonangu Shrine was revered as the guardian of Jonan Rikyu. Jonan Rikyu became not only the center of politics and culture, but also the center of dynastic culture with uta-kai (poetry festival), utage (banquet), and funa-asobi (boat activities). Jonan Rikyu also served as a shojinsho (inn) for Kumonomode pilgrims to Kumano and as a shukusho (inn) for Katatagae, where emperors and aristocrats prayed for safety from disasters caused by the directions they traveled. In 1221, the 82nd Emperor Go-Toba recruited troops under the name of Jonan Yabusame (Horse Archery), and the Jokyu-no-ran (Rebellion) occurred with the Kamakura Shogunate. Emperor Go-Toba raised an army to defeat Hojo Yoshitoki, the regent of the Kamakura shogunate, but was defeated by the Kamakura shogunate and exiled to Oki, where he lived in poverty for 18 years and died in Oki (Shimane). in 1239. In addition to the Mikoshi (portable shrine) procession, yabusame (horse archery) and kurabeuma (horse racing) were held during the Jonan-sai (festival), which was very lively. It is said that Emperor Go-Saga visited Jonangu Shrine in 1248. It is said that Jonangu Shrine incorporated Mahataki Shrine, around the Muromachi period (1336-1573). In the middle of the Muromachi period, Jonangu Shrine was devastated by military fires such as the Onin War (1467-1477). In the Edo period (1603-1867), Jonangu Shrine was rebuilt and was worshipped as Dai-nippon Fueki Daidai Jingu. Prayers for protection from directions were held for the 112th Emperor Reigen in the mid-Edo period, and for Kazumiya Naishinno in the late Edo period. I did. In 1863, the 121st Emperor Komei visited Jonangu Shrine to pray for the expulsion of the foreigners. In 1876, Mahataki Shrine was designated as a shikinai-sha Mahataki Shrine and the shrine name was changed to Mahataki Shrine, and was also listed as a fu-sha (shrine). In 1968, the shrine name was changed back to Jonangu Shrine and a new shrine building was constructed with Mahataki Shrine as a sub-shrine. Honden (Main Shrine) was destroyed by fire in 1977, and was rebuilt in 1978. In 2005, Yabusame (Horse Archery) was restored.
*reference・・・Jonangu Shrine website
【Jonangu Shrine Highlights (May be undisclosed)】
★Honden (Main Shrine, 本殿) was destroyed by fire in 1977, and was rebuilt in 1978. Honden enshrines Jonan-no-Okami (Yachihoko-no-kami, Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto (Empress Jingu), and Kuninotokodachi-no-mikoto).
★Rakusuien Garden (楽水苑) was created by landscape architect Nakane Kinsaku, who is praised as the Kobori Enshu of the Showa period (1926-1989). Rakusuien includes Haru-no-yama, Heian-no-niwa, Muromachi-no-niwa, Momoyama-no-niwa, Rikyu-no-niwa, Heian Garden, and so on. By the way, Haru-no-yama is also called “Genji Monogatari-no-niwa” because it is planted with more than 100 plants that appear in “Genji Monogatari” (The Tale of Genji) written by Murasaki Shikibu. Momoyama-no-niwa is a dry landscape garden that expresses the grandeur and elegance of the Momoyama period.
【Events (confirmation required)】
★Nanakusa Gayu-no-hi (七草粥の日) is held every year on February 11th, near January 7th of the lunar calendar. At Nanakusa Gayu-no-hi, the Haru-no-nanakusa (seven spring herbs) are offered to the gods, and Nanakusa Gayu is served to worshippers to pray for good health and longevity.
★Kyokusui-no-utage (曲水の宴) is held every year on April 29. At Kyokusui-no-utage, participants wear Heian period costumes, compose waka poems and write them on strips of paper while the sounds of the koto reverberate, and then take sake cups that flow from upstream and drink sake. At Kyokusui-no-utage, Shirabyoshi-no-mai (dance) is performed.
★Jonan-sai (城南祭) is held every year on the third Sunday of October. During Shinko-sai of Jonan-sai, three mikoshi (portable shrines), Matsu-mikoshi, Take-mikoshi, and Ume-mikoshi, parade through the shrine parishioners’ district and return to Jonangu Shrine in the evening in the order of Ume-mikoshi, Matsu-mikoshi, and Take-mikoshi. When Matsu-mikoshi and Take-mikoshi return, taimatu (torches) are lit and the lanterns of mikoshi are lit.
【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】
★The best time to see plum blossoms (梅) is from late February to early March. About 150 red and white weeping plum trees are planted in Rakusuien and other areas, and it is said that the scenery of the plum trees and Haru-no-yama is beautiful. Shidareume to Tsubaki Matsuri (Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival) is held when the plum blossoms are at their best.
★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around early April. Red weeping cherry trees, Kanhi-zakura (scarlet cherry tree), Yama-zakura and others are planted in Rakusuien, and it is said that the scenery of cherry blossoms, Momoyama-no-niwa and Rikyu-no-niwa is beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)
【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】
Tel: +81-75-623-0846
【Recommended Walking Route】
The recommended walking route from Jonangu Shrine is via the Shirakawa Emperor’s Mausoleum to Anrakuju-in Temple or Kosho-ji Temple. Anrakushu-in Temple and Kousho-ji Temple can be visited on the way back to Kintetsu Takeda Station from Jonan-gu Shrine. Since there are not many sightseeing spots in the area around Jonangu Shrine, it may be better to go to the next sightseeing spot and walk around the area.
【Remarks(access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Jonangu Shrine, be sure to check the latest information.