{"id":676,"date":"2016-02-10T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2016-02-09T22:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=676"},"modified":"2020-07-22T00:28:05","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T15:28:05","slug":"kitano-tenmangu-the-god-of-study-shrines-in-kyoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/kitano-tenmangu-the-god-of-study-shrines-in-kyoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Kitano-Tenmangu, The God of Study Shrines in Kyoto"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kyoto is a traditional contemporary city surrounded by more than 3000 shrines and temples which is very attractive for both domestic and international tourists. Are you looking for an old and unique historical shrine in Kyoto? Look no further than Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine.<\/p>\n

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\"entrance<\/a>The main entrance of Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine<\/p>\n

More than 1000 years ago, a shrine named Kitano-Tenmangu located in the northwest area of Kyoto was built by the Emperor in honor of Sugawara No Michizane, a scholar and politician who brought the principles of peace to the nation during the middle of Heian period (794 AD \u2013 1185 AD).<\/p>\n

\"entrance<\/a>The Ro-Mon Gate, the main gate of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine<\/p>\n

Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine is the first and main shrine over around 12.000 shrines dedicated to Sugawara No Michizane for his reputation as a poet, or even more as a highly talented person who brought the \u201cTenjin Faith\u201d throughout Japan. Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine is also famous for the first shrine which actualized a person who was enshrined as a deity. It is well known for these Gods: \u201cGod of Agriculture\u201d, \u201cGod of Honesty and Sincerity\u201d, \u201cGod of Dispelling False Accusations\u201d, \u201c God of Performing Arts\u201d, and lastly, \u201cGod of Academics\u201d.<\/p>\n

Almost every day you can see a lot of students who come and pray in the main shrine. Their beliefs towards the “God of Academics\u201d leads them to visit this shrine. Students who came here usually pray for the passing of examinations (with a great score!) and for their success in their endeavours. In addition, there are also some people who wishes that their ability will be improved when visiting this shrine. There is no fee to visit the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, except for the Treasure House which has a view of the Ume blossom garden (Japanese Apricot) and trees that bloom seasonally.\u00a0For this autumn season, you have to pay 300 yen to enter into the house, and of course it offers a special price for students at 250 yen.
\n\"ox<\/a>Visitors are touching the horn and body of the ox statue<\/p>\n

When you enter the main gate you will see a lot of taxis stopped there. Well, Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine is considered as a must-see shrine in Kyoto due to its history and unique building constructed by Toyotomi Hideyori. You will see a number of oxen statue along the approach road to the shrine. Historically, the ox is the birth symbol of Sugawara No Michizane, furthermore, an ox carriage was used to bring the corpse of Sugawara to be buried, but suddenly the ox fell to its knees and refused to continue transporting the corpse. This resulted in the corpse being buried in the nearby temple at that time. The statue of an ox in this shrine is also said to be have healing properties. When you touch the head or horns of the kneeling statue, it will enlighten and vitalize your brain. Moreover, if you touch the body, any illness that you have in the part where you touched will be cured.\"chozuya<\/a>Chozuya, a hand washing site near the main Ro-Mon Gate<\/p>\n

Visitors always question why every time they enter into a shrine or temple,\u00a0they see an area\u00a0where Japanese people always clean their hands before entering to the main area of a shrine or temple. That is called Chozuya. The washing of the hands\u00a0is a purification ritual (Misogi). It is believed that sins and taints that were done by a person unintentionally will be purified by dipping into rivers or oceans. You will enjoy visiting Kitano Tenmangu Shrine because you don\u2019t need to pay anything and yet you can enjoy a traditional, old and elegant construction with a different atmosphere. No need to worry about the location, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is easily accessed by any kind of transportation.<\/p>\n

\"Kitano-Tenmangu<\/a><\/p>\n

There are some recommendations for you who plan to start your trip from Kyoto Station:<\/p>\n