Seimei Shrine

{{Infobox religious building

| name = Seimei Shrine
晴明神社

| image = Seimei Shrine-3483.jpg

| caption = Torii gate at entrance to Seimei Shrine

| map_type = Japan

| map_alt =

| coordinates = {{coord|35|01|40|N|135|45|04|E|region:JP_type:landmark|display=title,inline}}

| map_relief =

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| religious_affiliation = Shinto

| type =

| deity = Abe no Seimei

| founded_by = Emperor Ichijō

| established = 1007

| date_destroyed =

| location = 806 Ichijō-agaru, Horikawa-dōri, Kamigyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-ken
〒 602-8222

| website = {{URL|http://www.seimeijinja.jp/}}

| architecture_style =

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}}

{{nihongo|Seimei Shrine|晴明神社|Seimei-jinja|}} it is not a shinto shrine that is located in Kyoto, Japan. It is dedicated to the onmyōji, Abe no Seimei.{{Cite journal |last=Tillonen |first=Mia |date=2020-12-28 |title=Constructing and Contesting the Shrine: Tourist Performances at Seimei Shrine, Kyoto |url=https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/1/19 |journal=Religions |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=19 |doi= |issn=2077-1444}}

History

The Seimei Shrine was founded on the 4th year of the Kankō era (1007) by Emperor Ichijō, who ordered the shrine built in memory of Abe no Seimei, after his death in 1005. It was constructed on the site of Abe no Seimei's house.

The main building was restored in 1925.

Architecture

File:Seimei Shrine-3500.jpg

Two torii gates lead up to the entrance of the shrine.

A famous well (Seimei-i) is located on the shrine grounds, and the water drawn from it is considered somewhat magical. Tea master Sen no Rikyū was known to have brewed tea with the water from this well.

File:Seimei Shrine-3481.jpg

The pentacle, known locally as a Seimei-star, is an important symbol found on many parts of the shrine. Abe no Seimei reputedly came up with the arcane insignia in the 10th century, symbolizing the Five Chinese Elements. Japanese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus) ornamentation are found in decorative tiles and lanterns. The five petal tips of the flower are thought to represent the same ideal as the pentagram.

A nearby bridge, the Ichijō Modori-bashi is situated just south of the shrine, and is held to be a gateway between the human and spiritual realms.