Visit the Cupid of Japan, See the Love Stones, Get your Fortune
Around the grounds of the Kiyomizure Temple, it will be hard to miss the Jishu Shrine and the Otowa Spring, as there will be hoards of people buying love charms and queuing for a drink.
The Jishu Shrine, which houses "the cupid of Japan", is not a part of the Kiyomizu-dera, and is believed by young people especially, to be the dwelling place of the god of love and matchmaking (imagine the implications!).
The love god, Okuninushi no Mikoto's story appears in the ancient history book of Japan, the Kojiki. In the story, a rabbit deceived others for its own gains and was forced to peel off its skin. Okuninushi, a sweet-tempered god, healed it and made it mend its ways.
Get a Jishu Shrine charm, which promises 'splendid love' for your own happiness or that of your children from 500 yen.
Get a paper doll.
Or, hang an 'ema' plaque to pray for love.
I couldn't resist an English fortune!
If it's bad, leave it.
The two "love fortune-telling" stones are about 10 metres apart. If you walk safely from one stone to the other with eyes closed, your love will be realized (darn, I didn't know then).
If you do get married after a visit, remember to return to the shrine to offer your thanks!
I love the messages in the English information sheet.
There is only one human race even though there are many nationalities.
I sure hope the Cupid of Japan can give the people of the world endless love, wisdom and happiness. Also,
Thank you for coming such a long way to visit this shrine.
P.S. Jishu Shrine, the pleasure is all mine. And to you who is reading this post, thank you for dropping by, and I wish you, endless love, wisdom and happiness.
More pictures are available on my Flickr (simply click any photo).
Cost: free
Access: Near Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Related Posts:
Japan Day 7 – Kyoto, Day 2:
- Check out and deposit luggage at reception
- Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass
- Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Toji Temple
- Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion
- Kyoto, Japan: Gion District
- Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street
- Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring
- Ginkakuji Temple
- Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto
- Train to Osaka
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