Daishogun Hachi Shrine

Founded in 794 when Kyoto became the imperial capital, this shrine was placed at the northwestern corner of the palace complex to ward off evil, a direction considered dangerous in the traditional yin-yang cosmology that guided political decisions at the time. The shrine is dedicated to Daishogun, the god of stars and directions, along with eight celestial deities represented by the Hachi in the name. In the Hotokuden Hall, 80 statues of Daishogun stand on display, most depicted in armor with fierce expressions. A second room holds artifacts related to the court astrologer Abe no Seimei, one of medieval Japan's most celebrated diviners.