Kurumazaki Shrine

Kurumazaki Shrine is a shrine in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, enshrining the Heian-period Confucian scholar Kiyohara no Yorinari. Known for exceptional learning, he was praised by Kujo Kanezane as possessing talent worthy of reverence ‘as if divine,’ and the shrine is believed to grant academic success and passing exams. A popular wordplay also supports prayers for business and finance: ‘yori’ suggests money ‘coming in,’ and ‘nari’ suggests business ‘being established,’ so many visitors pray for smooth collection of receivables and commercial prosperity. The shrine is also associated with keeping promises; small stones symbolizing vows are piled in front of the worship hall. A folk custom said to date back to the Edo period involves taking a stone home when making a wish, then returning and offering a stone of double size when it is fulfilled. Within the grounds is an Arts and Entertainment Shrine as well, drawing many who seek progress in performance and the arts; over 4,000 bright vermilion fence panels have been dedicated. It is located immediately by the Randen (Keifuku) ‘Kurumazaki-Jinja’ station; nearby is Koryu-ji, famous for its Miroku Bosatsu statue.