Basic Information
Description
Enshrines Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Junnin. Originally the Kahei Taisha.
Toward the end of the Edo period, Emperor Komei wanted to comfort the spirit of the exiled Emperor Sutoku, who had been sent to Sanuki (present-day Kagawa Prefecture) and died there. He planned to relocate the shrine from Shiramine in Sanuki to Kyoto. In the Meiji era, Emperor Meiji carried out this wish, welcoming the divine spirit and enshrining it here. That same year, the spirit of Emperor Junnin was also brought from his burial mound at Tenno-mori-yama and co-enshrined.
Since the grounds originally belonged to the Asukai family, masters of kemari (court football), the deity Seidai Myojin — patron god of kemari — is also enshrined here, making the shrine hugely popular with soccer players. They even sell a "Sports Fighting Spirit" charm.