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Fri. Jul. 5. 2019Flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

June 25, 2019 : Flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Below is a report by Yung-Hui Chou (Cornell University).

Without doubt, visiting the flea markets is one of the best things to do in Kyoto, where many markets are held within the shrine or temple grounds during the “ennichi,” the routine holy days related to the Shinto Kami-sama or the Buddha. We were fortunate to have experienced a special afternoon at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the “Tenjin-san’s day,” namely, the 25th of every month that marks the birthday and the death of Sugawara no Michizane, the Heian-period stateman and the “deity of scholarship” enshrined at the Tenmangu.
Our visit to the “Tenjin-san” market had offered an excellent chance of treasure hunt. The stalls displayed everything such as antiques, housewares, kimonos, and foods in front of the restless eyes, as well as brought a liveliness to the historical Kamishichiken district. In addition to the shopping, the “ennichi” is also the only open day every month of the Tenmangu Shrine’s treasure house, where the precious ancient artifacts and documents are stored. I very much enjoyed the exploration and was amazed by the close connections between the Japanese religious spaces and the local community.