The Peach of Seimei Shrine: Absorbing Misfortune Through Touch
A quiet ritual of placing your worries into a sacred fruit
Near Ichijo Modoribashi, at the small but atmospheric Seimei Shrine dedicated to the legendary onmyoji Abe no Seimei, stands a curious object that draws countless visitors’ hands: a large peach statue known as the Yakuyoke Momo, or “Peach of Exorcising Misfortune.” Worshippers gently place their palms on its smooth surface, silently entrusting their anxieties, misfortunes, and negative thoughts to the fruit. Over time, the constant touch has polished the statue until it gleams with a golden shine, proof of the faith and hopes that people have left behind.
The idea of peaches driving away evil is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition. In the Kojiki, Japan’s oldest chronicle, peaches appear as a weapon to repel pursuing demons. Later, the tale of Momotaro, the boy born from a peach who defeats ogres, further strengthened this symbolism. Peaches came to embody vitality, renewal, and protection against misfortune. The peach at Seimei Shrine continues this legacy, standing as a modern-day guardian shaped by centuries of belief.
Walking through the grounds, you encounter pentagram motifs (the Seimei star), guardian deities of the four directions, and the famous Seimei Well, whose water spout is said to face the year’s lucky direction. The peach itself is placed beside the main hall, and the custom is simple: offer a bow, place both hands on the peach, and imagine your troubles transferring into it. Travel guides often remark how the peach’s surface shines from countless touches. Many visitors also purify themselves afterward at the water basin or purchase charms to carry the blessing with them.
Seimei Shrine is compact, yet its atmosphere is dense with the mystique of Onmyodo. Touching the peach takes only a moment, but it embodies Kyoto’s timeless wisdom—finding harmony with the unseen. By the time you leave the shrine, after touching the peach, gazing at the star lanterns, and peering into the clear water of the well, you may notice your breath has grown just a little calmer.
Seimei Shrine
806 Seimei-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8222, Japan
(near Horikawa Street and Ichijo Street)