Shinamine Shrine

In my university days I always passed in front of this shrine, but I have not entered it yet, although it is a large magnificent shrine. This shrine is dedicated to Sutoku and Junnin emperors.
Because it is the ruins of the court noble, Asukai Family, who played traditional soccer called Kemari, it is regarded to be a guardian deity of sports. Particularly many athletes related to ball games come here to worship the deity and they dedicate their balls in front of the main shrine. Among them players of Japan’s national team of the volleyball or J League are seen.
As for «The pink cherry tree» called Nadeshiko Sakura planted in the precincts I felt the relationship with the name of Nadeshiko Japan of famous and prestigious Japanese female soccer team.
Rare is the monument of Kemari. The stone monument of the ball of wishing for ball game progress was put in the precincts. You will be favored with divine blessing of improving your ball game if you turn this stone ball. I who like playing tennis turned it while praying that my tennis will be improved. This is quite heavy. If you try this, be careful for not your fingers to be pinched!!!