Yasui-Konpiragu
Kyoto Prefecture · Japan
A hidden gem in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, this shrine is famous for its “Power Stone” archway. Locals and visitors crawl through it to pray for strong relationships—or to break ties with the past. Peaceful and unique, it’s a memorable stop full of local tradition and symbolism.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Yasui-Konpiragu, one of Kyoto's most unique and emotionally resonant spiritual sites. Known colloquially as the 'En-kiri Shrine' or the 'Severance Shrine,' this is where people come to break ties with the negative…
Listen in the app2The Main Torii and the Approach of Intent
We begin at the entrance gate. Notice the modest scale of the shrine grounds compared to the massive temple complexes nearby. …
Listen in the app3The En-kiri En-musubi Ishi: The Power Stone
Standing at the center of the shrine is the 'monument in the shape of an Ema'—a massive stone 1.5 meters high and 3 meters wide. It is virtually invisible beneath thousands of white paper slips called Katashiro. …
Listen in the app4The Ritual of Severance and Connection
Let us look more closely at the ritual itself. The act of 'crawling through the hole of a big rock' is a form of 'mimesis' or symbolic action found in many ancient cultures, but here it is practiced with modern fervor. …
Listen in the app5The Honden: The Main Hall of Emperor Sutoku
Beyond the Power Stone is the Honden, or Main Hall. While the stone attracts the most attention, the Honden is the theological heart of the shrine. …
Listen in the app6The Tradition of 'En' in Gion Culture
The location of Yasui-Konpiragu, just a stone's throw from the tea houses of Gion and Miyagawa-cho, is no coincidence. The concept of 'En'—connections or fate—is the lifeblood of these districts. …
Listen in the app7Purification and the Aftermath of the Ritual
What happens after one crawls through the stone? The 'purification' is intended to have a lasting effect. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our journey through the specialized spiritual landscape of Yasui-Konpiragu is complete. We have explored the history of the exiled Emperor Sutoku, the visceral ritual of the Power Stone, and the deep cultural significance of 'En'…
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What is Yasui-Konpiragu?
Yasui-Konpiragu is a place in Kyoto Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kyoto Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0000, 135.7759 |
| Last updated |
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within a 5-minute walk
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