Kiyomori Shrine

Kiyomori Shrine is a subsidiary shrine located outside the precincts of Itsukushima Shrine. A subsidiary shrine (massha) is a small shrine that enshrines a deity not directly related to the main shrine’s enshrined deity or the local guardian deity. Kiyomori Shrine enshrines Taira no Kiyomori, who rebuilt Itsukushima Shrine in its current shinden-zukuri (Heian aristocratic) style. Kiyomori was a powerful figure in the late Heian period, said to have risen to such prosperity that people remarked, “If you’re not of the Taira clan, you’re not truly a person.” Originally, he was enshrined together with other deities at Sanno Shrine, a related shrine (sessha) located outside the main grounds, but in recognition of his great contributions to Miyajima, a new shrine was built in 1954 and the enshrinement was separated. Kiyomori Shrine stands on a jetty on the west side of Itsukushima Shrine, an area known as “Nishi-no-Matsubara.” Around March 20 each year, the shrine hosts the “Kiyomori Festival,” inspired by how the Taira clan is believed to have visited Itsukushima Shrine. Miyajima also preserves many Taira-related legacies, such as the “Heike Nokyo” (Heike Sutras) housed in the Itsukushima Shrine Treasure Hall (dedicated by Kiyomori) and the bronze bell at Misen Main Hall (donated by Kiyomori’s second son, Munemori). During the “Miyajima Momiji no Ga,” you can rent (by advance reservation) “tsubo-shozoku,” a Heian-period princess-style costume, and stroll the island feeling like a Heian noble.