Seimei Shrine Nagoya
- Published on : 25/07/2019
- by : Japan Experience
- Youtube
Seimei Shrine in Nagoya is dedicated to the Heian Period cosmologist Abeno Seimei and is a sister shrine of a Seimei Jinja in Kyoto.
Nagoya Temples & Shrines: Seimei Shrine 晴明神社
Seimei Shrine is a small shrine located near Nagoya Dome in the northern part of Nagoya.
It is a sister shrine of the more famous Seimei Shrine in Kyoto.
In fact, there are many Seimei Shrines scattered throughout Japan as can be seen in the image at the bottom of the page.
Seimei shrines are dedicated to the Heian Period court astrologer, cosmologist and astronomer Abe no Seimei.
Abeno Seimei was an onmyo-ji. That is to say a follower of onmyodo - the Way of Yin and Yang.
Seimei Jinja, Nagoya, Japan
The Japanese bellflower growing in the shrine's grounds
History
Abe no Seimei supposedly spent some time in this area of Japan. He is credited with clearing venomous snakes from a local hill (Seimeiyama) and the shrine was established in his honor. The small park near the shrine is also named after him.
Pentagram motif on the noren at Seimei Jinja; the pentacle symbolizes the Five Chinese Elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water
The shrine has many examples of the pentagram on its ema votive plaques, lanterns and roof tiles. The motif symbolizes the Five Chinese Elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
In this system Fire generates Earth, which generates Metal, which generates Water, which generates Wood, which generates Fire. The five elements system is used extensively in a variety of health, design, time and spatial systems in the East.
Pentagram motif with the Five Elements and Yin and Yang symbol
The Japanese bellflower is also seen growing in the shrine's grounds. The Japanese bellflower has five petals and thus resembles the magical pentagram.
Seimei Shrine
1-6 Seimeiyama, Chikusa-ku
Nagoya, Aichi 464-0087
Tel: 052 711 8803
Lantern with pentagram at the shrine
Map showing the location of the various Seimei shrines or shrines associated with Abeno Seimei in Japan
Seimei Shrine Access - how to get to Seimei Shrine in Nagoya
Seimei Shrine is a 15 minute walk south of Nagoya Dome-mae Yada Station or Sundabashi Station.
Ema votive plaques at the shrine
Nearby
The shrine is close to Nagoya Dome, a very large Aeon Mall, the Dome-mae campus of Meijo University and Dome-mae subway station on the Meijo Line of the Nagoya subway and Yutorito Line.
The Historical Museum of Waterworks & Sewerage is also about 15 minutes away on foot. Further to the west is the Tokugawa Art Museum and the Tokugawa-en Garden.
Omikuji in the shape of a pentagram at the shrine
