Danjo Kawakami Jinja Lower Shrine

Overview

Danjo Kawakami Jinja Lower Shrine, located in Nagase, Shimoichi-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture, is an ancient shrine known for its water deity worship. A sacred spring, 'Goshin-sui' ('life-giving water'), flows here and has been revered by the people since ancient times. The shrine grounds feature various attractions, each with its own meaning and legend, including a sacred horse statue (Shinha), an ox stone (Ushiishi), a frog stone (Kaeruishi), and a musubi stone (Musubiishi). The sacred horse is said to have been offered by the Imperial Court; a black horse for rain prayers and a white horse for sunny weather. This water deity worship tradition is believed to be the origin of ema (votive pictures) and was passed down to Kifune Shrine in Kyoto. The ox stone, resembling an ox, symbolizes perseverance and steady progress, like the slow but sure pace of an ox. The frog stone, shaped like a frog in an upright position, represents quick thinking and agility, offering a contrast to the ox's steady nature. The musubi stone features overlapping male and female divine objects with a deep hole, approximately 10cm deep, believed to have been donated by worshippers blessed with children who performed a cleansing ritual in the Tanio River. The 'Taiko Odori' (drum dance), a sacred performing art, is said to have originated from people celebrating answered rain-stopping prayers, dancing joyfully before the shrine. This tradition continues to this day. Danjo Kawakami Jinja Lower Shrine provides a tranquil space surrounded by history and nature, offering a place to cleanse the mind and body.