HEIAN JINGU

The Heian Shrine, Kyoto. One of about 25 new shrines constructed since theMeijirestoration to revere figures of national or patriotic significance. It was built in 1895 to enshrine the spirit of Emperor Kammu (r.781-806) who founded Kyoto by moving the capital there 1100 years earlier. It was extensively rebuilt in 1940 to accommodate also the spirit of the last pre-Meiji emperor based in Kyoto, Emperor Komei (1844-1865). The shrine building is a replica of the Daigoku-den, the Council Hall in the Heian period Imperial Palace.

See Jidai matsuri.