Kamigamo Shrine
Ancient Shinto shrine protecting Kyoto from malign influences.
Kamigamo Shrine, whose official name is Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine, sits along the Kamo River in northern Kyoto and was established in 678. It ranks among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The shrine venerates Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, the thunder kami, and, together with its counterpart Shimogamo Shrine, is traditionally tasked with shielding Kyoto from harmful forces. The name “Kamo” refers both to the family of deities worshipped here and to the Kamo clan, early inhabitants of the area, many of whose descendants still live near the shrine. The grounds include remnants of the ancient Tadasu no Mori forest.
During the early Heian period, the shrine received imperial patronage. Under Emperor Heizei (r. 806–809), it was among a few establishments granted a divine seal for official documents, a practice modeled on a precedent set by Emperor Kōnin in 778. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered imperial messengers to report important events to Japan’s guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi. Kamigamo and Shimogamo were designated the two chief shrines (ichinomiya) of former Yamashiro Province. From 1871 to 1946, it was classified as a Kanpei-taisha, a top-rank government-supported shrine.
Several emperors made notable visits. Emperor Kanmu came in 794 as part of a grand progress. In 942, Emperor Suzaku visited to give thanks for restored peace. In 979, Emperor En’yū paired a visit to Iwashimizu Shrine with one to Kamo. In 1711, Emperor Nakamikado took refuge in the shrine’s Hosodono when the palace became uninhabitable.
The shrine’s haiden (worship hall) was rebuilt in 1628–1629. Several priests’ residences stand on the grounds, and one, the Nishimura House, is open to the public.
- founded
- 678
- location
- North Kyoto, on the banks of the Kamo River
- formal_name
- Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine (賀茂別雷神社)
- dedicated_to
- Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, kami of thunder
- designation
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto)
- former_rank
- Kanpei-taisha (first rank of government supported shrines, 1871–1946)
Lore & Background
Kamigamo Shrine became the object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. Records from the reign of Emperor Heizei (806–809) mention that Kamo-mioya jinja was among a select number of establishments granted a divine seal for use on documents, a practice established by Emperor Kōnin in 778. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers be sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo Wake-ikazuchi.
Reader's Guide
Kamigamo Shrine, together with Shimogamo Shrine, forms the Kamo-jinja, traditionally linked shrines that serve to protect Kyoto from malign influences. The shrine was designated one of two chief Shinto shrines (ichinomiya) for the former Yamashiro Province. From 1871 through 1946, it was officially ranked among the Kanpei-taisha, the highest rank of government-supported shrines. The shrine's haiden (worship hall), rebuilt in 1628–1629, is famous, and the Nishimura House, a priests' residence on the grounds, is open to the public. Imperial visits include those by Emperor Kanmu in 794, Emperor Suzaku in 942, Emperor En'yū in 979, and Emperor Nakamikado in 1711. The shrine's name also references the Kamo clan, many of whom continue to live nearby.
Did You Know?
- Kamigamo Shrine was first founded in 678.
- Its formal name is Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine, dedicated to the kami of thunder.
- The shrine was granted a divine seal for use on documents during the reign of Emperor Heizei (806–809).
- Emperor Nakamikado took refuge in the shrine's Hosodono in 1711 when the palace became uninhabitable.
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