Yamazaki Hachimangu Shrine was having a little festival over the last week. It was a lovely experience to see all of the flowers around the shrine. Hydrangeas floating in the pond, flowers in jars and vases, and flowers on the goshuin stamp.
Goshuin Stamps
Goshuin stamps are seal stamps that you can get at a Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine. There are special books made for these stamps called goshuincho. Many people collect these stamps which make a lovely keepsake of your time in Japan. When you visit a shrine or temple, if you want to collect the stamps, there is a designated window where you give your book to a monk who first puts a stamp with a picture or design. Then they write in beautiful calligraphy the shrine or temple’s name, the date, and sometimes other messages. It looks like a work of art! Sometimes for special occasions (such as this festival) they add something special.
A Large Circle to Pass Through
At the entrance of the shrine there was a sign and a large circle similar to a wreath. It was tall enough for me to walk through, so I did a little people watching to see what locals did. They paused, bowed, and then walked through.
I tried to translate the sign, but the translation I got didn’t really make sense. Sometimes the translation apps are great and sometimes not so much. It did say that it is a Shinto ritual to cleanse and to look back on “prolonged life and longevity without illness”. So I felt like this festival was a time to cleanse and renew and to be thankful for our health.
As I sat down to write this post, I did a little searching and I learned of a Japanese purification rite called “Nagoshi no Harae” that is performed near the end of June. Individuals walk through a tall Chinowa wreath in this rite, repenting for their wrongdoings in the first half of the year, and praying for good health in the second half. The wreath is composed of loosely coiled miscanthus reeds known as Chigaya which denotes purification in Japanese culture! I feel like this is most likely what was taking place at this shrine or a version of it, but since I don’t read Japanese, of course I am not certain.
Photos of Flowers Around the Shrine Grounds
History of the Shrine
I had a challenging time finding information online about this shrine. I did learn a little about the history from a plaque at the entrance of the shrine. Apparently the shrine began in 709 in Tonda and was moved to Shunan in 770. It burned down a few times and each time was reconstructed. The last reconstruction was in the thirteenth year of Meiji which I believe would be 1881, but I’m not positive about the year.
I really enjoyed this peaceful little shrine, the beautiful flowers, and my special goshuin stamp! I never tire of visiting temples and shrines as they are each unique and beautiful.
This festival is most likely over at the time of this posting, but if you are interested in this festival, put it on your calendar for next June near the end of the month.
Happy Exploring, Kari
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