The featured image is an AI-generated illustration.
PR / Ad｜This post contains affiliate links.
Read the English + Japanese version｜英語＋日本語版はこちら
Introduction｜はじめに
A dark wooden torii gate.
A traditional brushwood fence.
Tall bamboo rising behind them.
Nonomiya Shrine stands beside the famous
Bamboo Grove in Sagano, Kyoto.
Many shrines have
bright vermilion torii gates.
But here, the gate is dark
and still covered in natural bark.
Why does Nonomiya Shrine have such
an unusual gate?
Let us begin here and discover the stories
hidden in this small shrine.
Kuroki Torii｜なぜ黒い鳥居なの？
Look closely at the torii gate standing
at the entrance.
Its dark appearance
does not come from black paint.
The gate is made from kunugi oak,
with the natural bark left on the wood.
This style is known as Kuroki Torii.
It is considered one of the oldest forms
of torii gates in Japan.
Against the green bamboo,
the dark gate creates
a distinctive view.
It is a small entrance,
but one with a long history behind it.
Koshibagaki Fence｜鳥居の隣にある小柴垣
Beside the Kuroki Torii,
notice the simple fence
made from branches.
This is called Koshibagaki,
a traditional brushwood fence
made from kuromoji branches.
Together with the torii, it preserves
the appearance of the old Nonomiya.
The Saio Tradition｜斎王が過ごした場所
Why were these old traditions preserved
at Nonomiya Shrine?
The answer is connected to the Saio,
women of the Imperial Family
chosen to serve at Ise Grand Shrine.
Before leaving for Ise,
a Saio spent time purifying herself
at a sacred place called Nonomiya.
Nonomiya was traditionally established
in a pure place, and its location could
change from one Saio to another.
The present shrine preserves the memory
of this ancient custom.
The Tale of Genji｜源氏物語に描かれた野宮
Nonomiya also appears in The Tale of Genji,
written by Murasaki Shikibu during
the Heian period.
In the chapter “Sakaki,”
Hikaru Genji visits Lady Rokujo,
who is staying at Nonomiya
with her daughter, the future Saio.
Their meeting is filled with complicated
feelings and the sadness of parting.
The story describes the atmosphere
of Nonomiya, including its brushwood fence.
The torii and fence we see today are not
the original ones from the Heian period.
Yet their traditional forms help us imagine
the atmosphere described long ago.
Behind it, more than a thousand years of stories.
Kameishi｜願いを込める亀石
Near Nonomiya Daikokuten is a sacred stone
called Kameishi, or the Turtle Stone.
According to tradition,
a wish may come true within one year
if you gently stroke the stone
while praying.
Nonomiya Shrine is also known as a place
to pray for good relationships.
Carpet Moss Garden｜緑のじゅうたん苔
Another quiet feature of the shrine
is its moss garden, known as Jutan-goke,
or Carpet Moss.
Soft green moss covers the garden, creating
a peaceful scene among the trees.
After rain, the green
may appear even more vivid.
It is a different kind of beauty
from the dark wooden torii.
Outside the shrine, the bamboo grove
continues along the path.
After exploring the stories of Nonomiya,
take a moment to enjoy the scenery
of Sagano.
🟫 CAT MEMO 🐾
“I wonder if my love will come true too…” 🐾
🗺 Google Map
At first, we noticed
an unusual dark wooden torii gate.
Then we discovered the history of the Saio
and a scene from The Tale of Genji.
What first seemed like a quiet entrance
became a doorway to the history
and literature of old Sagano.
Thank you for visiting Nonomiya Shrine.
May your time here bring you peace
and beautiful memories.
And may your journey through Kyoto
be a wonderful one. 🐾
🗺 Explore More Kyoto Areas
Kyoto is divided into several unique areas, each offering different attractions and experiences.
