Okayama Momotaro Shrine

#JanuaryDestinations2025
Transportation: Take the Momotaro Line to Kibitsu Station. Walk about 10 minutes after getting off.
Visit Date: June 2024

There's a long staircase in front of Kibitsu Shrine.
Both sides of the staircase are lined with lanterns inscribed with the names of local businesses.
It would be beautiful lit up at night.

You have to climb a second flight of stairs to reach the main shrine.
The wooden architecture and lanterns really give it a Japanese feel.

The shrine's main deity is Ōkibitsuhiko-no-mikoto.

The various offerings are Momotaro-themed.

The ema here is so cool, a bit like a Hong Kong anime style?

The one that looks a bit like Inuyasha, but I took a closer look and realized it's Ura,
the monster that Momotaro defeats... (But he's pretty cool!)

There are many types of amulets, and the most unique one is the divine brush. I wonder if using it makes your writing seem divine. (But I don't think Momotaro is here to bless you with your studies?)

Of course, you have to draw a fortune when you arrive at a shrine.
There's a unique fortune stick here that I haven't seen at other shrines.
I drew one, and it reminded me to think carefully before making an impulse purchase whether I want it or need it, otherwise I might regret it later, hahaha.

Another unique fortune stick here is the water fortune stick.
After giving money to the shrine maiden, you pick a stick yourself.
When it's not wet, you can't really see the words on it; it's perfectly white and smooth.
Dip the stick into a beautiful basin with hydrangeas and marbles, and the words will appear.

I think this water fortune stick has the most beautiful overall ritual I've drawn in my recent visits to Japan.
The way the words are revealed is wonderful, and the hydrangeas and marbles create a full summer atmosphere.

Here's another version of the Momotaro story:
Once upon a time, there was a monster named Ura in Kibi Province who committed all kinds of evil and oppressed the people. The people were deeply distressed, so the imperial court sent Kibitsuhiko (Momotaro) to eliminate Ura.
Momotaro shot an arrow, but Ura deflected it with a stone.
Momotaro shot two more arrows, and Ura threw another stone.
The stone blocked one arrow, but the other struck Ura in the eye.
(I think of the handsome Ura depicted in the Kibitsu Shrine emazha, hahaha)
The blood from Ura's eye turned into a red river.
Ura transformed into a carp and jumped into the river to escape.
But Momotaro transformed into a cormorant and captured Ura.
This is a story without peaches, monkeys, dogs, or pheasants.