Atago Shrine: The Tengu and God of Fire

According to shrine legend, the origin of the shrine dates back to the 8^th century when En no Gyojya, the founder of mountain Buddhism, built a hut in Mt. Atago. Later, Wake no Kiyomaro built Hakuun-ji Temple to enshrine the god of the mountain, Atago Daigongen. Later, the main deity of the temple became Katsugun Jizo, who is more like a Buddhist warrior deity. By enshrining Katsugun Jizo, many warriors from the region came to worship at the temple.

Unfortunately, the Meiji Restoration forced Buddhism and Shinto to completely separate, resulting in the destruction of Hakuun-ji Temple. Soon after, Atago Shrine was erected and the popular Katsugun Jizo was moved to another temple.

Mt. Atago is also well known for the tengu who lives in the mountain named Atago Tarobo. There is even a legend that says En no Gyojya decided to build a hut here because he met this tengu in Mt. Atago. Records also indicate that Hakuun-ji temple did in fact enshrine this tengu.

 

After you pass Kuromon gate, this will at last flatten out. The top was 5 degrees colder than the foot of the mountain and partially covered with snow.

Finally, after 2 and a half hours, we made it to the main prayer hall.

Currently, the main god of Atago Shrine is Izanami and her children, namely the god of fire, Kaguzuchi. People in Kyoto traditionally climbed this mountain to get special fire-prevention charms and amulets to put in their kitchens.