The historical drama "To You, the Light" is finally drawing to an end. Kyoto, where the story is set, is still home to many places connected to the characters, such as the place where Murasaki Shikibu (Mahiro) was born and raised and wrote "The Tale of Genji," as well as the remains of Fujiwara no Michinaga's mansion.
This time, we will introduce 6 spots related to "Hikaru Kimi e". The place that was the model for the abandoned mansion where Mahiro and Michinaga had their memorable rendezvous in the drama is also included! Why not go on a "pilgrimage" to the Heian period while strolling around Kyoto, the capital of a thousand years?
The former residence of Murasaki Shikibu, "Rosanji Temple" where she is said to have written "The Tale of Genji"
Rozanji Temple, located near the Seiwa-in Gate of Kyoto Imperial Palace and facing Teramachi-dori Street, is a Tendai Enjo sect temple that was founded on Funaokayama in the mid-Heian period and moved to its current location in the late 16th century.


Within the grounds of Rosan-ji Temple, there are monuments bearing poems by Murasaki Shikibu and her daughter, Kenshi (Daini Sanmi), and temple treasures such as the Tale of Genji Picture Scroll and a hanging scroll by Wakamurasaki are also on display.
Teramachi-dori is the eastern end of Heian-kyo, known as "Higashikyogokuoji," and was once lined with aristocratic residences. One of these was the residence of Murasaki Shikibu's great-grandfather, Fujiwara no Kanesuke. It is said that Murasaki Shikibu was born and raised here, and spent most of her life there, getting married, giving birth, and raising her children.
It was also in this location that "The Tale of Genji" was written, and it is believed that the mansion at Hanasakirisato that appears in the story was based on this area.


The "Morning Glory" in the title of the 20th chapter of the Tale of Genji refers to what we now call the Chinese bellflower (there are various theories as to its origin). In the "Genji Garden" on the temple grounds, the Chinese bellflowers create a graceful atmosphere from the end of June to early September.
Within the grounds is the Genji Garden, which was created based on the motif of gardens from the Heian period. In autumn, the contrast between the white sand that covers the garden, the green pines and moss, and the vividly colored autumn leaves is beautiful!
Rozanji Temple
Address: 397 Kitanobe-cho, Teramachi-dori Hirokoji-agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-231-0355
Visiting hours: 9:00-16:00
Admission fee: 500 yen for adults
Official HP:http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~rozanji/
Instagram account:@kyoto.rozanji
The remains of Fujiwara no Michinaga's residence, Tsuchimikado-dai, which was also the setting for the birth scene of Empress Shoshi
As you enter Kyoto Gyoen from Seiwa-in Gomon, you will see the white earthen walls surrounding the Sento Imperial Palace and the Omiya Imperial Palace on your left. To the north of this is said to have been the residence of Fujiwara no Michinaga, Tsuchimikadotei.
Michinaga's eldest daughter, Shoshi, who was the Empress of Emperor Ichijo, gave birth to Prince Atsunari (later Emperor Go-Ichijo) and Prince Atsunari (later Emperor Go-Suzaku) in this place, her birthplace.
Yes, it is the terrifying birth scene depicted in the still fresh in our memory, episode 36 "The Long-Awaited Day" (broadcast on September 9). In the extraordinary atmosphere of a ceremony to pray for safe birth, Akiko takes on the challenge of giving birth for the first time, and at the banquet celebrating the 22th day since her birth, the nobles are having a free-for-all...
Murasaki Shikibu, who moved from the Imperial Palace to the Tsuchimikado Palace with Shoshi, wrote down the details of this series of events at Michinaga's request. This is the "Murasaki Shikibu Diary." It was because of this diary that the dramatic scene was created.


The "Tsuchimikado-dai ruins" stretch out to the north of the current Sendo-Omiya Imperial Palace. It was originally the residence of Minamoto no Masanobu, and after his death, it was inherited by Michinaga, who married Masanobu's daughter, Noriko.
Furthermore, Michinaga composed this famous waka poem in 10, ten years after Shoshi's first birth.
I think of this world as my own.
If you think there is nothing missing
Apparently this song was written at a banquet held at Tsuchimikado Palace. There are only about two months left until the drama airs. Will there be a scene in the drama where this song is recited?
Tsuchimikado Temple Site
Address: Kyoto Gyoen, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-211-6364
Official HP:https://fng.or.jp/kyoto/2018/11/22/post_165/
The model for the abandoned mansion where they had their rendezvous?! Minamoto no Toru's mansion, the former site of Rokujo-Kawara-in, "Shosei-en"
"To You, the Light" is reminiscent of scenes from The Tale of Genji. The "Abandoned House in Rokujo" where Mahiro and Michinaga meet is reminiscent of a certain palace where Hikaru Genji and Yugao spend the night together and are possessed by a spirit.


Kaitouro connects the north shore of Engetsu-ike Pond to an island floating in the pond. It is a bridge with a cypress bark roof that you can actually walk across.
The motif for that temple was the Rokujogawara-in, the residence of Minamoto no Toru, who is said to be one of the models for Hikaru Genji. There is also a theory that the garden "Shosei-en", which is currently an exclave of Higashi Honganji, is part of the former site.


This garden has a pond and is dotted with quaint buildings such as Tekisuiken and Rinchi-tei. The varied scenery is known as the "Thirteen Views of Shosei-en Garden."
Minamoto no Toru built Rokujo Kawara-in in imitation of the scenery of Shiogama in Oshu, where he once had a mansion, and it is said that he had seawater transported from Amagasaki to create a pond.
As a result, the Shiogama Chozubai (water basin) and Shiogama no I (well) remain in Shosei-en Garden to this day. A tower connected to Minamoto no Toru has been erected on a small island in Ingetsuchi Pond, the large pond at the center of the garden.
Shoseien Garden
Address: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Shimogyo Ward, Shimozuyacho, Torimanocho, Higashi-iri, Higashi Tamamizucho
TEL: 075-371-9210 (Higashi Honganji Temple reception office)
Opening hours: March to October 3:10 to 9:00 (reception until 17:00)
November to February 11:2 to 9:00 (reception until 16:00)
Garden maintenance donation: 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for middle and high school students, free for elementary school students and younger
Official HP:https://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/about/guide/shoseien/
Instagram account:@shoseien_official
Tohoku-in Temple, a temple associated with Izumi Shikibu, a poet who served Empress Shoshi
Izumi Shikibu (Akane) attracted a lot of attention when she first appeared wearing a see-through uchiki. At Mahiro's suggestion, she became a lady-in-waiting to Empress Shoshi, and Fujitsubo's salon became even more glamorous.
Tohoku-in Temple is known as a temple associated with Izumi Shikibu, who lived a free-spirited and romantic life and left behind many passionate love poems. In her later years, she became a nun after her daughter, Koshikibu no Naishi, passed away. She is said to have built a hermitage called Seishin-in in a corner of Tohoku-in Temple and spent her days chanting the Nembutsu.


Since its founding, it has been burned down and rebuilt several times, and was moved to its current location in Jodoji, Sakyo Ward in 1693. It is now a temple of the Ji sect.
Tohoku-in Temple was originally a Tendai sect temple called Jōgyo-sammaidō, founded by Empress Shoshi, and was located northeast of the grounds of Hosho-ji Temple, which was built by her father, Fujiwara no Michinaga.


The "Plum Blossoms on the Eaves" on the east side of the main hall are plum trees beloved by Izumi Shikibu and are the subject of the Noh play "Tohoku."
Within the temple grounds, there is a successor to the "Eaves Plum Tree" that is said to have been hand-planted by Izumi Shikibu. Why not visit between mid-February and mid-March, when the plum blossoms are in full bloom, and enjoy the poems that Izumi Shikibu wrote about her love for the plum blossoms?
I'll pour you the fragrance of plum blossoms.
I wonder if I can become a flower owner
On a spring night, surprised by the fragrance of plum blossoms
It is in the darkness that people become fearful.
Tohoku Hospital
Address: 83 Jodo-ji Shinnyo-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
090-4904-7931
Email: jishu.toubokuin@gmail.com
Visiting hours: 1st and 3rd Sundays 10:00-16:00 (temple stamps available)
Second Sunday 2:14-00:16 (Available for sutra copying sessions)
On other days, we can only accommodate those who are present at the hospital (please confirm in advance by phone or email)
Official HP:https://kyoto-toubokuin.com/
Instagram account:@jishu_toubokuin
Imakumano Kannonji Temple, where Sei Shonagon was born, raised and spent her later years
"I am angry, Mahiro-sama! I hate The Tale of Genji."
In the 38th episode, "Dazzling Darkness" (broadcast on October 10th), Sei Shonagon (Kikyo) had a fierce argument with Mahiro. While she was drawn into the story of the shining prince and praised him for his splendor, she also got angry at him for trying to erase the glamorous days he spent with Empress Sadako from Emperor Ichijo.
In the play, Sei Shonagon is portrayed as a person with a strong sense of loyalty. The residence of her father, Kiyohara Gensuke, is thought to have been located near the grounds of Imakumano Kannonji Temple, within the current Sennyuji Temple grounds, and Sei Shonagon is thought to have been born and raised nearby.


The refreshing grounds are surrounded by beautiful nature in every season. The red torii bridge over the Imakumano River marks the boundary to the sacred area.
After her death, Teishi, who later became the empress, was buried in Toribeno Misasagi, which was built near Kannonji Temple. Sei Shonagon also retired to live near her father's residence. It is said that she spent her later years visiting Teishi's tomb.


The temple grounds are beautiful with bright, shining greenery in early summer and fiery crimson foliage in autumn.
It is the 825th temple of the XNUMX Saigoku Pilgrimage Sites, and is an ancient temple with a long history that has been widely worshipped as the "Head Kannon" that is said to ward off dementia and headaches. It was founded around XNUMX. It is said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi.
Imakumano Kannonji Temple
Address: 32, Sennyuji-Yamauchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-561-5511
Visiting hours: 8:00-17:00
Official HP:http://www.kannon.jp/
Instagram account:@imakumanokannonji
"Seimei Shrine" was founded by Emperor Ichijo to praise the achievements of Abe no Seimei.
Abe no Seimei is an onmyoji (exorcist) with many legends, such as saving Fujiwara no Michinaga from a curse and curing Emperor Ichijo's illness. His name is often recorded in the Mido Kanpakuki (Records of Imperial Rule) left by Michinaga, which shows that he was a person of great influence in the Imperial Court.


The temple grounds are located where his mansion was located, facing northeast from the Imperial Palace of Heian-kyo, in other words, in the direction of the demon's gate. It is believed that he lived in this area to protect the demon's gate of the Imperial Palace.
In the play, Abe no Seimei leaves this world with the last words to Michinaga: "The stronger the light, the deeper the darkness. Don't forget that." In 2, two years after his death, Emperor Ichijo ordered the construction of Seimei Shrine to enshrine his spirit.


Seimei served the Imperial Court as an official in charge of astronomy and calendars. Next to the worship hall is a statue of him looking up at the night sky, observing distant celestial bodies, and making hand gestures under his robes.
There are plenty of sights to see, including the "Ichino Torii" gate displaying the shrine's crest of a pentagram that is said to have been used in sorcery, the "Old Ichijo Modoribashi" bridge where Shikigami (demons used by onmyoji) are said to reside, and the "Seimei Well" which is said to have been brought to life by telekinesis.
Today, in addition to being associated with the Abe no Seimei legend, the shrine is also popular as a power spot.
Seimei Shrine
Address: 806 Seimei-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
075-441-6460
Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (office open until 16:30)
Official HP:https://www.seimeijinja.jp/
Instagram account:@seimeijinja
The excitement of "To You, the Shining One" is building up before the climax. To get a deeper feel for the world of the story, why not visit the places associated with the characters?
Text by Erina Nomura
Erina Nomura
A writer born in Osaka in 1986 and currently living in Kyoto. After graduating from university, he worked for a production company involved in a variety of media, including publishing, advertising, and the web. In 2020, he went independent and is now working as a freelancer. His areas of interest include craftsmanship, traditional culture, lifestyle, and travel. As a Kyoto correspondent for Premium Japan, he reports on the latest happenings in Kyoto through the "Kyoto News" section of the editorial department's blog.
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