Learning about Shimogamo-jinja

1. Module2
Sightseeing Spot 1
Shimogamo Shrine part2
(Kamo-mioya-jinja)
下鴨神社

2. Objectives
 Previous Review (basic knowledge, festivals)
 Festival
 Mitarashi Matsuri
 Food
 Refarences
 Assignments

3. Basic knowledge
Shimogamo Shrine, called Shimogamo-jinja (下鴨神社) in
Japanese, is the common name of an important Shinto
sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō
ward. Its formal name is Kamo-mioya-jinja (賀茂御祖神
社). It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one
of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient
Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World
Heritage Site.

4. Feativals
date name
January 4 Kemari-hajime
Junuary 15 Rice-porridge Festival
February 3 Setsubun
February 17 Kinen-sai Matsuri
May 15 Aoi Matsuri
On the day of Doyoo-no-Ushi Mitarashi Matsuri
(a full 18 days before the traditional
beginning of autumn in August)
One night in autumn Megetsu Kangen Sai
(when the brilliant autumn moon rises
over the shrine)
November 28 Ohitaki Sai

5. Mitarashi Matsuri
On the day of Doyoo-no-Ushi, a full 18 days
before the traditional beginning of autumn in
August, the shrine hosts Mitarashi, a ritual
foot bathing.

6. Mitarashi Matsuri
Thousands of people flock to the pond in front
of Mitarashi shrine, dedicated to the god
protecting against plague and misfortune.
Devotees believe that if they wash their feet
in this pond on this day, they will be blessed
by god.

7. Mitarashi Matsuri
In addition to these prayers, many people also
receive mitarashi dango, sticky rice balls
covered in sweet sauce, invented on the
grounds near the eponymous shrine. The first
mitarashi dango shop opened in a stall in the
shrine forest, and today, many food vendors
line the grounds during this festival

8. Refarences
 世界遺産 下鴨神社
http://www.shimogamo-inja.or.jp/index.html
This site also have english pages.
 Wikipedia

9. Assignments
 Taste some Mitarashi dango and post a entry
to your blog including text and fancy pictures.
 Give some comment to Discussion at topic
“mitarashi dango shop” .