Takakamo Shrine, a place of worship since ancient times
The mysterious origins of Takakamo Shrine
There are many shrines across Japan that includes the name, ”Kamo (賀茂or 鴨)” , such as the Kamo Shrine of Kyoto. The headquarters to all these shrines is the ”Takakamo Shrine”. It is said to enshrine the deities of the famou Kamo family of Yamato.
Facts regarding the Kamo family are not actually very well known. It is unclear as to when and where they originated, and when they started to reside in Yamato. One theory is that some members of the Kamo family moved to the western edge of Gose city to cultivate rice.
When exactly the Takakamo Shrine was established is unknown. However, it is said that the Kamo family are relatives to the Sogas and the Mononobes and as can be seen by how nobles and powerful families had worshipped the Takakamo shrine, it is thought to have existed before the Asuka period.
Preserving and cultivating valuable flowers
Many people visit the shrine to this day, and one of their objectives is to see the ”Japanese primrose”. Japanese primrose used to grow in the wild, all across the nation from Hokkaido to Kyushu, however it is currently listed as an endangered species, with preservation acts under progress.
Takakamo shrine preserves and cultivates about 500 different types of Japan primrose. From April to May during the blooming season, 2000 of the flowers are in full bloom drawing many spectators every year. The Takakamo shrine is recently also known as the ”Shrine of the Flowers” and is enjoyed by worshippers of the shrine.
