Jinushisha Shrine
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Ohtokonushi-no-Kami
who wards off misfortune and bestows peace
Dating back to the founding of Heian Jingu Shrine in 1895, this small sanctum enshrines the area’s local deity. It was built on the northeast side of the shrine to provide protection against the kimon, or “demon’s gate.” The kimon was believed to be a gateway for bad luck and evil spirits and occupied the northeast cardinal direction. Traditionally, shrines such as the Jinushisha Shrine were constructed to stave off disasters and misfortune.
Today, it is a popular destination for visitors, and a ceremony is held at the shrine on the first day of every month.
kimon (demon’s gate)
The kimon, or “demon’s gate,” is a concept that originates from the Onmyodo system of divination, in which evil spirits are believed to originate from the northeast. The northeast is often avoided in urban planning and home construction for this reason, and shrines and temples were often built to protect the northeast direction. The ura-kimon, or “reverse demon’s gate,” refers to the southwest.
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Estimated length: 30 seconds