Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine
shrine
離宮八幡宮
In the ninth century, a head priest of Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine invented a press for seed oil extraction, which became the origin of perilla seed oil production in Japan.
A priest of Rikyu Hachimangu is credited with inventing the perilla seed oil press in the ninth century, making this shrine the origin point of the Japanese oil-pressing industry. For centuries, the shrine held a monopoly on perilla oil production, and all merchants were required to obtain its permission to sell. The shrine still sells bottled oil and votive tablets depicting the original priest. Its omamori amulets read yudan taiteki, 'carelessness is one's greatest foe,' a phrase that plays on the word yudan, which is written with characters meaning 'to run out of oil.' Half-scale model presses are displayed during festivals.
Purify your hands at the temizuya before approaching the main hall. Left hand first, then right, then pour water into your left hand to rinse your mouth.
Want to visit Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine?
Build a trip to Kyoto