Floating lanterns. That is how the local guide describes Ichikawa Shrine in olden times. I invite you to come closer so I can tell you its story.
Ichikawa Shrine stands here in Kyoto. It is a place with a long history. The shrine’s origins are somewhat mysterious but let’s delve into what we know.
Ichikawa Shrine may connect to the Qin clan. The Qin clan helped develop the Kyoto basin. They resided 500 meters north of Ichikawa Shrine. There stood also Uzumasa Koryu-ji Temple. The Qin clan also worshipped their ancestors at Oosake Shrine.
The Qin clan controlled the Katsura River. They transformed the wetlands into habitable land. They helped build the foundations of Heian-kyo. Ichikawa Shrine’s name suggests a connection to water. It likely honors a god of water control. Maybe it was a god ensuring stable water flow. Perhaps it was a deity providing irrigation.
An old guide board says the shrine once floated. It was in a muddy area always amid floodwaters. The shrine’s current form dates to the Showa era. So the floating scene might be a more recent depiction.
The shrine likely honored water deities. These deities had deep ties to the area. Ichikawa Shrine is on the left bank. This is of the canal “West Takase River” which opened in the late Edo period. Today the area is residential. Long ago it was far from settlements. It was surrounded by fields and barren land.
Walking from the parking area brings you to the shrine entrance. A wooden Myojin Torii gate faces east. Beyond the gate lies a wide space. A lush forest surrounds the shrine building. The main hall faces east. It is enclosed by a fence. The copper-plated hall features a flowing gable roof. It is painted in vermillion.
To the left of the main hall stands an auxiliary shrine. Its name and deity are unknown. But it seems to be a shrine for agriculture. A copper-plated roof protects the small shrine building. Ichikawa Shrine is a place where water has been worshiped.