摂社　二十二所社

Hidden amongst the trees at Tadasu no Mori near Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto, you’ll find the Nijūni-sha (Twenty-Two Shrines). This small shrine, the Nijūni-sha, holds a unique place in Kyoto’s spiritual landscape. It isn’t dedicated to a single deity but to the collective spirits of the Nijūni-sha, twenty-two important shrines across Japan. These shrines were recognized by the Imperial Court during the Heian period, elevated for their significance in state rituals and ceremonies. Nijūni-sha at Shimogamo Shrine acts as a miniature representation of these scattered sacred sites. It’s like having a key to twenty-two spiritual doors, all within this tranquil grove. The original Twenty-Two Shrines are divided into three ranks: Upper Seven Shrines, Middle Seven Shrines, and Lower Eight Shrines. This ranking reflected the complex political and religious relationships of the Heian period. Shimogamo Shrine itself, with its partner Kamigamo Shrine, is among the prestigious Upper Seven. Our Nijūni-sha here embodies this connection, linking this local shrine to a broader network of spiritual power across Japan. Interestingly, the Nijūni-sha shrine building you see here is relatively recent. It shares a similar design with its neighboring Sawata-sha, both enclosed by wooden fences. The Nijūni-sha was originally established within the old Shimogamo Shrine precincts but found its current home in Tadasu no Mori in 1877. It’s a testament to the enduring reverence for these twenty-two shrines, their essence distilled and honored here in this peaceful corner of Kyoto. So, as you stand before Nijūni-sha, imagine yourself connected to a web of ancient power, a spiritual network spanning across Japan, converging here in this quiet grove.