Open-air stalls in the precicts of Omi-zingu Shrine　(2018.01.04_14:22)

Ni no trii (the second trii gate) of Omi-zingu Shrine (2018.01.04_14:22)

Romon of Omi-zingu Shrine　(2018.01.04_14:25)

The view of Ge-haiden (outer haiden) from the recincts　(2018.01.04_14:27)

The view of Nai-haiden from Ge-haiden　(2018.01.04_14:29)

Worship at Ge-haiden　(2018.01.04_14:31)

　　　

　　　

　　　

　　　

　　　

　　　

　　　

The booth crowded for the sale of shinpu　(2018.01.04_14:34)

Several cards of Hyakunin Isshu attached on the wall　(2018.01.04_14:39)

Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (painted by Moronobu Hishikawa) [Reference] Digital collection of Japanese National Diet Library

The display of ancient fire clock　(2018.01.04_14:45)

　My granddaughter Hannah-chan was scheduled to come back temporarily
to Japan with her mother from Singapore at the end of the year.
However, it was cancelled to be on the safe side because she develoed
bronchitis a few days before leaving Singapore.
So, it was postponed until this May.

[Note]　Gion-san ; 祇園さん、granddaughter ; 孫娘、be on the safe side ; 大事を取る
　develope bronchitis ; 気管支炎に罹る

　We were supposed to have bustling and busy New Year's days with Hannah-chan.

But I’ve spent boring days in Kusatsu with my wife because we didn’t need take
care of her.

[Note] be supposed to〜; (本来なら)〜するはずだ、bustling ;賑やかな

　In such an atmosphere, my wife asked me to go to Hatsumode.
(Hatsumode means that many Japanese people visit a Shinto shrine during
the first three days of January in order to make traditional New Year's wishes
for health and happiness.)
We are going to have a New Year's party at my wife's parents' house in Kyoto
this evening.
It was just set in consideration of an itinerary for Hannah's trip to Japan.

[Note]　go to Hatsumode ; 初詣に行く、　in consideration of 〜; 〜考慮して
　itinerary ; 旅程

　So, we decided to go to a shrine before the new year’s party.
Our destination is Yasaka-jinja Shrine called by the nickname Gion-san.
The frequency of my visit to a shrine has been increased since last year, like
Biwaichi (cycling tour around Lake Biwa) while visiting shrines and trekking
to Izusan-jinja Shrine in Atami after AIOI’s end-year party.

[Note] frequency ; 回数、頻度、Biwaichi (cycling tour around Lake Biwa) ; 琵琶一
　trekking ; トレッキング

　To get to Yasaka-Jinja Shrine,we transfer to the Keihan Line at JR Yamashina
station, get off at Higashiyama station and then walk for about 10 minutes.
This route is very convenient compared to the bus route via JR Kyoto Station,
which we had ever used.

　We stroll toward Yasaka-jinja Shrine from Higashiyama station.
We got to Higashiyama-dori Street after strolling along Shirakawa River with
a sense of taste and elegance in that scenery.
From the photo below, my hair is really getting thinner.

[Note] 　with a sense of elegance in that scenery ; (景色が)風情のある

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Pls click the picture to see a full-size version

At Shirakawa River located in Higashiyama Sanjo　(2018.01.02_13:36)

　There is a long line of Hatsumode visitors from the Sanjo area.
On the way, we stopped by Chionin Temple.
It’s relatively quiet around here.
On the second floor of Romon (two-storied gate) of the temple, the Japanese flag
and the flag of Jodo shu are flapping in the wind.
This is the first time I've seen the flag flying in the tepmle.

[Note]　stop by (in) at ～ ; 〜に立ち寄る、Chionin Temple ; 知恩院
　Romon (two-storied gate); 楼門、　flap (flutter, fly) ; はためく、ひるがえる

The view of Chion-in Temple　(2018.01.02_13:46)

　After the new year’s visit to Chion-in Temple, we walk towards Maruyama
Park.
It was also very crowded with visitors for sightseeing.
In cold weather, we could see the performance by a Komuso like this in front of
a wintry weeping cherry tree.
(Komuso means a mendicant Zen priest of the Fuke sect with a shakuhatchi
bamboo flute, wearing a deep straw hat that covers the face.)

[Note]　Komuso ; 虚無僧、weeping cherry tree ; 枝垂桜、mendicant priest ; 托鉢僧
　mendicant ; (形)施しもので生活する、Fuke sect ; 普化宗
　shakuhatchi bamboo flute ; 尺八、straw ; 麦わらの

Near a weeping cherry tree in Maruyama Park (2018.01.02_14:12)

　Since we've come here, we decided to visit our ancestors’ grave to Otani Sobyo Mausoleum nearby.

In spite of one of the first three days of the New Year, it was quite crowded.
We worshipped at Otani Sobyo Mausoleum and Higashi Otani Cemetery.

[Note]　the first three days of the New Year ; 正月三が日

At Otani Sobyo Mausoleum and Higashi Otani Cemetery 　(2018.01.02_14:16〜14:40)

　Again we walk through Maruyama Park to go to Yasaka-jinja Shrine.
This temple is very popular among the local people by a nickname of Gion-san.
It’s the shrine that hosts the Gion Matsuri Festival which is one of three
gratest festivals in Japan and summer features in Kyoto.

[Note]　Gion Matsuri Festival ; 祇園祭、summer feature ; 夏の風物詩

　According to my wife who grew up near Teramachi Bukko-ji close to Shijo
Kawaramachi, she went to Okera Festival held in the shrine from New Year's
Eve to New Year’s Day with her parent.

[Note]　Okera Festival ; をけら祭り

　She said some worshipers lighted a match code with the sacred flame put on
Okera Lantern in the precincts of the shrine, brought the lighted match back
to their home while rotating it to keep the fire from going out, and then used
it as source for offering a light on Kamidana (a household Shinto altar) or
cooking ozoni (soup containing vegetables and rice cakes) while celebrating
the New Year and praying for state of perfect health over the year.

[Note]　worshiper ; 参拝者、 match code ; 火縄、 sacred flame ; 御神火
　keep the fire from going out ; 火が消えないようにする、match ; 火縄
　　offering a light on Kamidana ; 神棚に灯明を上げる、　household ; 家庭の、 ozoni ; お雑煮
　　state of perfect health ; 無病息災

On the approach and at the main shrine (2018.01.02_14:47〜14:58)

　As you can see from the pictures above, the precincts of the shrine, especially the front of Haiden (a hall of worship), are crowded with worshippers.

We also prayed for safety of the family over the year.
I regreted that I didn’t pray for peace in the world first of all.

[Note]　Haiden (a hall of worship) ; 拝殿、 first of all ; 先ず第一に

　By the way, the Haiden of Yasaka-jinja Shrine is an architecture constructed
during the Edo period (an important cultural property).
In the general shrines, Haiden is built as an independent structure.
However I heard this shrine’s Haiden shares the building structure with Honden.

[Note]　share A with B ; AをBと共有する(共同で使用する)、Honden (main shrine) ; 本殿

　It’s said that over a million worshippers visit it for Hatsumode during thefirst three days of
the New Year annually.
It’s said the number of worshippers for Hatsumode to Tomioka Hachiman-gu
Shrine which caused that murder incident drastically decreased on the grounds
that it augurs ill.

It was as I suspected.
We think that we don't want to pray for protection from evil at such s shrine,
right?

[Note]　annually ; 例年、毎年、murder incident ; 殺人事件
　on the grounds that ～ ; (that 以下)との理由で、　it augurs ill(well) ; 縁起が悪い(良い)
　　It was as I suspected. ; やはりそうでしたか、そんなことではないかと思った
　pray for protection from evil ; 厄除けを祈願する

　We leave the shrine through vermilion-lacquered West Romon (two-storied
gate).
The Romon constructed during the Muromachi period is the symbol of Yasaka
Shrine and also have been popular among the local people and tourists as the symbol of
the place Higashiyama.

[Note]　vermilion-lacquered ; 朱塗りの

At west Romon of Yasaka Shrine　(2018.01.02_15:06)

　Two statues enshrined at both sides of the Romon were not Nio-zo (statues
of Kongorikishi) which can be seen at temples but wooden statues of zuijin
which is well-known as one of dolls on hinadan (a doll-displaying stand) in the
Girl’s Festival.
Zuijin means guards for noblemen during the Heian period.
I didn’t notice that till now.
That is generally common at other shrines, isn’t that?

[Note]　enshrine ; 安置する、Nio-zo (statues of Kongorikishi) ; 仁王像、金剛力士像
　hinadan (a doll-displaying stand) ; 雛壇、Girl’s Festival ; 雛祭り、notice ; 気付く
　zuijin ; 随身

　We walked along Shijo-dori Street towards Kamogawa River while being jostled
in the crowds of people for Hatsumode.
We stopped by at well-established soba noodle restaurant ‘Matsuba’ next to
Minami-za theater for the first time in years to eat nishin soba (a bowl of soba
in hot soup served with stewed herring on top).

Speaking of nishin soba in Kyoto, this restaurant is the originator of nishin soba.

[Note]　be jostled in the crowds of people ; 人波にもまれる
　jostle ; (混雑で)押し合いへし合いする、押しのけて進む、well-established ; 老舗の
　stewed ; とろ火で煮込んだ、herring ; にしん、 Speaking of ～ ; 〜と言えば
　originator ; 創始者、元祖、本家

At soba restaurant Matuba in Kyoto (2018.01.02_15:26)

　This nishin soba really tastes good.
Both a large herring stewed in syrup and Kansai-styled soba soup really had
good old taste and flavor for me.

[Note]　stewed in syrup ; 甘露煮の、good old ; 懐かしい

　We crossed Shijo-ohashi Bridge to participate in the next event.
We could see a bronze statue like this on Shijo-kawaramachi.
No, it was a performer.
Japanese street performance has gradually became refined.

[Note]　become refined ; 洗練されてくる

The view of Kamo-gawa River in the dusk (2018.01.02_15:44)		A street performer　(2018.01.02_15:47)

Japanese Diary / No.840―2018.01.02 / 「祇園さんへ初詣」