Wednesday 2 July 2014

Jisshu Shrine: Betrayal and Revenge (Sachiko)

I noticed that neither me nor Tokiko have posted in a while so I shall post this, I hope Tokiko hasn't lost her head...

Anyway~!

One place is right under the noses of the multitudes gawking at the magnificent construction of Kiyomizu Temple. Situated adjacent to the temple is Jisshu Shrine, a popular place for women who come to pray for good fortune in love. However, there is a darker side to this bustling sightseeing spot. Standing at the shrine is the Prayer Cedar, where as you probably already guessed, visitors come to pray. But bored into this seemingly innocuous tree are nail holes made by women who have been betrayed by their lovers. “Ushi no Kokumairi,” meaning “the 2 a.m. visit,” is an old Japanese means of cursing someone you despise and praying for their death by nailing a “wara ningyo” (straw doll) into an ancient tree at a shrine at the “hour of the Ox.”


Judging from the freshness of the holes in the Prayer Cedar, it seems this ancient practice is still alive and well, though according to someone who went and asked about it, the head priest is reluctant to discuss the matter for fear of encouraging more such unsavory behavior. Another place in Kyoto where the “Ushi no Kokumairi” has been performed is Kifune Shrine in Sakyo Ward, which enshrines not only a god of marriage, but also gods of divorce and curses.


So to all you guys in Japan, be nice to your lady or she might just pray for your death.

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