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Prayers are offered here for victory in all sorts of contests

This is an ancient shrine founded even before the national capital was transferred to Heian Kyoto. The land’s ritual connection dates back to the legendary Empress Jingu (203), who supposedly built a tumulus here that she ritually filled with army standards and military gear. Later, Emperor Kanmu (737~806) designated the shrine as an archery administrative office. Moreover, the procession here of samurai warriors on the 5th of May each year is said to be the origin behind the custom of displaying samurai dolls during the period of the famed Boy’s Festival Tango-no-sekku. On the day of the procession, shrine rituals include military horsemanship, with daring horseback skills. These have led to the shrine being connected to luck in winning and the guardian deity of horses – thus, making the shrine very popular with horseracing fans, jockeys, trainers and owners.