Shirataki Shrine & Houtokuji Temple — Kiryu's History of Silk & Stone
[subtitle] "A visit to two linked historical sites in Kiryu, exploring the shrine's connection to silk weaving and a Zen temple"
Shirataki Shrine stands at the center of Kiryu's relationship with silk production, enshrining Princess Shirataki, who brought knowledge of silk weaving from Kyoto over a thousand years ago. Local legend recounts a young man's journey from Kiryu to the imperial court, where he won the princess's hand through poetry and marriage, bridging a divide in social rank. The shrine grounds hold a large stone called Korinseki, said to emit the sound of a loom when one listens closely to it. Nearby, Houtokuji Temple — a Zen institution founded around 1450 — maintains its own historical presence through red ink stamps, autumn leaf festivals, and meditative practices conducted before a garden.
Highlights
- [highlights] "Shirataki Shrine and the legend of Princess Shirataki, who brought the knowledge of silk weaving from Kyoto"
- Korinseki stone at Shirataki Shrine, traditionally believed to resonate with the sound of a loom
- The 300-year-old Keyaki tree behind Shirataki Shrine, designated by the city as a natural monument
- Houtokuji Temple, a Zen temple founded circa 1450, known for its red seal stamps and autumn leaf celebrations
- Zen meditation sessions at Houtokuji Temple conducted in front of the temple garden