“The mountain holds a secret,” the old woman whispered, her voice barely audible above the wind rustling through the trees. “They say a powerful demon once lurked there, guarded by a fearsome creature.” We are standing before the unassuming Katsuragi Sannomiya Shrine, tucked away in a quiet corner of Kyoto. Don’t let its tranquility fool you. The Katsuragi Sannomiya Shrine is steeped in legends. Local folklore tells of a terrifying demon, the “Shuten Doji,” who haunted nearby Mount Oe. This demon was said to terrorize travelers, stealing their treasures. Legend has it that the great warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu, lured the demon out by offering him sacred sake from this very shrine. The demon, drunk on the potent brew, was vulnerable. Yorimitsu and his men seized the opportunity and vanquished the beast, restoring peace to the land. The shrine’s deities, 素戔嗚尊 (Susanoo-no-Mikoto, god of storms and bravery), 酒解神 (Sake no Kami, the god of sake) and 大山祇神 (Ōyamazumi no Kami, the god of mountains) are a testament to this tale. They represent the forces of nature, both benevolent and fearsome, that have shaped this region and its history. Even today, the Katsuragi Sannomiya Shrine remains a place of pilgrimage for those seeking protection and good fortune.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to