Health (3) * Kumano-jinja, Kyoto

Omamori HEALTH (diseases, pregnancy, etc.) of the Kumano-jinja shrine of Kyoto

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Kumano shrine (熊野神社 Kumano-jinja) is located on the north west corner of the intersection of Higashiyama and Marutamachi streets in the north east of Kyoto close to Kyoto University, the Kyoto Handicraft Center and Heian shrine.

Kumano shrine was founded in 811 by the monk Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism. The shrine is dedicated to various deities from the Kumano region of Japan in present day Wakayama and Mie prefectures. The shrine was established to serve as protection for the country. Izanagi and Izanami, who in Japanese mythology gave birth to the islands of Japan, are also enshrined here and bring supplicants to pray for a safe birth and success in marriage.

Badly damaged during the Onin War (1467–1477) during the Muromachi Period, Kumano shrine was restored in 1666 during the Edo Period. A further restoration took place in 1835 with with buildings relocated from Shimogamo shrine. Kumano shrine has long been patronized by the Imperial family based in the nearby Imperial Palace.