Small Shrine at the end of a Popular Shopping Arcade
Small shrine located at the east end of Nishiki Market (Kitchen of Kyoto)
I love this small shrine, conveniently located at the end of Nishiki Market (shopping arcade) in central Kyoto. It is also in Shin-Kyogoku Shopping Arcade which is parallel to Teramachi Shopping Arcade. All these shopping arcades are highly popular among local people and tourists from all over Japan and and from abroad.
Enshrined is God of Learning
Front of the Main Shrine - Fenced with wire net
Ninshiki-Tenmangu enshrines Fujiwara-no-Michizane (845 - 903), who have been worshiped by the people as "God of Learning" (Thunder God, as well). Since Michizane was brilliant and was successful in his career, people pray to Michizane's spirit to get the luck of learning. So, Nishiki-Tenmangu is a popular place for those who are taking entrance exams or qualification exams. They visit the shrine and pray for their success.
Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine. Precinct is probably more than 100 times bigger than that of Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine.
Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine. Precinct is probably more than 100 times bigger than that of Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine.[/caption]
Although Michizane succeeded in his career as a politician, he was conspired to lose his position by a false accusation by his political enemy, with the result that he was exiled to Dazaifu in Kyushu Island. Two years later (903), he died there in despair. Lots of bad incidents occurred in Kyoto after his death, and people thought those were caused by the curse of Michizane and they deified him as Thunder God. To repose the anger of Michizane's soul, Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine was built by order of Imperial Court. Nowadays, there are many shrines with "-Tenmangu" or "-Tenjin" suffix throughout Japan. All of them are affiliated shrines of Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, meaning Michizane's spirit is anywhere in Japan. Besides the construction of Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine, a small temple and a tomb for Michizane were built on the ground of his former residence in Kyoto. The temple was named "Kanki-ji" Temple, which was relocated several times later and a shrine was attached at some point during the transitions. Several hundred years later, Kanki-ji Temple was finally granted to "Zendo-ji" Temple in Yawata district, south of Kyoto, while the shrine function was moved to the current location where it began to be called Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine.
Small Shrine, but Lots to See
Ends of the horizontal beams are inside the buildings.
Torii Gate: There is a Torii gate in front of the shrine. Ends of the horizontal beams of the gate thrust into the buildings standing on both sides. Torii gate was built in 1935, when the front street of the shrine was much wider. But later on, majority of the land near the Torii gate was taken over by developers and buildings were constructed on both sides of the front street. Obviously, developers wanted to get the walls of the buildings as close to the Torii gate as possible, whereas the shrine did not want the buildings to damage it. So, I guess they eventually came to an agreement by which ends of the horizontal beams were thrusted into the walls of the buildings on both sides.
I like this cow. Rub the head and horns gently, and you are all set for exams.
Statue of Cow: Cow is considered the divine servant (messenger) of Michizane, so you can see statues of cow in all the shrines dedicated to him. Nishiki-Tenmangu is one of them. I have seen many statues of cow in the other shrines associated with Michizane, but the one at Nishiki-Tenmangu is the best so far. It is really cute and lifelike. Rub the head and/or horns with your hands gently, and you will be smarter in learning.
"Nishiki-no-Mizu" Spring Water.
Natural Spring Water: There is a well inside the precinct of the shrine. The water which comes up there is well-known as "Nishiki-no-Mizu" (Water of Nishiki). There are some local people who come to the shine to get the water for them to drink at home. Sip the water when you visit the shrine, and you will probably be successful in learning, business, and will be free from bad luck.
Fortune telling slips tied to the ropes.
Fortune Telling Slip ("Omikuji"): You can get a fortune telling slip drawn from the container set by the marionette (automaton). There are several push buttons in front of it, and you can choose Japanese or English version. As soon as you enter the coin, the marionette begins dancing, and your fortune telling slip comes out from the slot. If the oracle in your slip tells "Excellent Luck" or "Luck", keep it with you in your wallet. If it tells "Unlucky", tie it up to one of the ropes between the two poles prepared in the shrine to get rid of bad luck. When you visit Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine, make sure to include other places of interest nearby, such as Nishiki Market, Shinkyogoku Shopping Arcade, Teramachi Shopping Arcade, Takoyakushi-do Temple, etc. There are lots to see there and lots of restaurants for lunch / dinner. Probably, you can spend good 1/2 day just hopping around the area.