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History of Yasaka Shrine

About Yasaka Shrine

There are several theories about the origin of Yasaka Jinja Shrine. According to the record of the shrine, the history of Yasaka Jinja Shrine may go back as far as 656 (Asuka Era), the second year of the reign of Emperor Saimei. Irishi, an errand from Korea, brought the spirit of Susanoo-no-mikoto to this place.
Besides this vies, in Jogan Era, 876, a Buddhist priest from Nara Prefecture, Ennyo, had built a temple, and enshrined Susanoo-no-mikoto, the deity of the region.

Old picture of Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine)
Old picture of Gion Shrine (Yasaka Shrine)

Other photos

A shrine maiden dancing Kagura (Shinto music and dancing) at the main shrine of Yasaka Shrine
maiden
Utsukushigozensha and sakura
View Shijo Street from West Tower
maiden and nanroumon

Mikoshi-Togyo
(The procession of portable shrines)

Mikoshi-Togyo takes place on the night of July 17 and 24. On the night of July 17, 3 Mikoshi (portable shrines) carrying deities of Yasaka jinja leave the shrine for Otabisho in the downtown of Kyoto. They rest there for a week and come back to Yasaka Jinja Shrine on the night of July 24.

Mikoshi (portable shrines) carrying deities of Yasaka jinja leave the shrine for Otabisho in the downtown of Kyoto.
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