Disir
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KYOTO — It’s high season for marathons, with a number of events being held across the country, such as last Sunday’s Osaka Marathon. For so-called “citizen runners,” or those who enjoy long-distance running as a hobby, a “pilgrimage” site can be found near the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Goo Jinja shrine, located near Hamaguri Gomon, one of the palace gates, has been a place of worship for many marathoners, particularly over the past decade or so.
Wondering why, this writer visited the shrine. When passing through its torii gate and looking up, I saw a huge omamori amulet hung under the eaves of the main gate. The amulet bears four kanji characters that mean “protecting feet, legs and lower back.”
The holy place enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro (733-799), an aristocrat who played an active role when the capital was built in what is now Kyoto, and his elder sister Hiromushi.
According to the shrine, Kiyomaro was banished to the Kyushu region as punishment after blocking a political plot by Dokyo, a monk who was patronized by Empress Shotoku and eventually aimed to enthrone himself. As gruesome further punishment, the plotter also severed some of Kiyomaro’s leg muscles.
On his way to Kyushu, Kiyomaro was attacked by assassins sent by Dokyo. At that very moment, 300 inoshishi wild boars showed up to guard him. The aristocrat also found his legs had been healed.
Based on this episode, wild boar statues are placed across Goo Jinja’s premises, including a pair of guardians in the shape of the animal, even though komainu guardian dogs usually greet visitors at Shinto shrines.
Marathoners make ‘pilgrimage’: Wild boar guardians at Goo Shrine protect feet, legs, lower back
That's a cool little tidbit of history.
Goo Jinja shrine, located near Hamaguri Gomon, one of the palace gates, has been a place of worship for many marathoners, particularly over the past decade or so.
Wondering why, this writer visited the shrine. When passing through its torii gate and looking up, I saw a huge omamori amulet hung under the eaves of the main gate. The amulet bears four kanji characters that mean “protecting feet, legs and lower back.”
The holy place enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro (733-799), an aristocrat who played an active role when the capital was built in what is now Kyoto, and his elder sister Hiromushi.
According to the shrine, Kiyomaro was banished to the Kyushu region as punishment after blocking a political plot by Dokyo, a monk who was patronized by Empress Shotoku and eventually aimed to enthrone himself. As gruesome further punishment, the plotter also severed some of Kiyomaro’s leg muscles.
On his way to Kyushu, Kiyomaro was attacked by assassins sent by Dokyo. At that very moment, 300 inoshishi wild boars showed up to guard him. The aristocrat also found his legs had been healed.
Based on this episode, wild boar statues are placed across Goo Jinja’s premises, including a pair of guardians in the shape of the animal, even though komainu guardian dogs usually greet visitors at Shinto shrines.
Marathoners make ‘pilgrimage’: Wild boar guardians at Goo Shrine protect feet, legs, lower back
That's a cool little tidbit of history.
