SAKURA SCIENCE University Program
Experiencing Shinto Culture at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
On the afternoon of September 10 (Tuesday), Indian university students visited Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City), which is known for its God of learning. Firstly, the students purified their hands by washing them, and in the main hall of the national treasure, they solemnly and formally offered respect in the traditional way using two bows, two hand claps, and then one bow" which they had practiced in advance, and then watched the shrine maiden dance. Secondly, they walked around the grounds there while being guided by a senior priest.
At the stone statue of a cow, which said that by stroking it, you will become smarter through God's messenger, all the students took turns to stroke the head of the cow enthusiastically and then touched their own heads. All of the students were excellent, but we did it get a glimpse of their desire to aim higher.
Thereafter, they were given the opportunity to taste matcha tea at a tearoom. It seemed that they enjoyed that and some even exclaimed that it is "not so bitter, and rather delicious." Most of the students drank all of it without leaving any unfinished.
The students bought many kinds of amulets as souvenirs, drew some omikuji (fortune telling slips), and it seemed that they all enjoyed experience Shinto culture which is unique to Japan.
