The history of the shrine begins at the time of reign of the 38th Emperor Tenchi (668 to 671 C.E.), when Kamatari Fujiwara established the shrine, to pray for prosperity of the clan and eternal continuation of his descendants. planted purple wisteria and called it Fujidera (The Temple of Wisteria).
The 75th Emperor Sutoku ( reigned 1123-1141) who was especially fond of this wisteria, repaired the temple buildings in 1146 and had his favorite consort Awa no Naishi live there.
The retired emperor Sutoku was defeated during the Hogen Rebellion (1156) and passed away in the land of Sanuki (present day Kagawa Prefecture). His consort Awa no Naishi worshipped in the Kannon Hall of the temple the portrait, drawn in his own hand, that she had received from the emperor.
In 1177, when a Buddhist priest Daien stayed in the temple, the emperor Sutoku appeared before him, showing him a vision of the prosperity of ancient times. This event was immediately reported to the monk-emperor Goshirakawa and the Kanshōji, that was built by his imperial order, is said to be the origin of our shrine.
The temple Kōmyōin Kanshōji was devastated by fire spread by armies during the Ōnin Rebellion (1467-1477). However in 1695, the Rengekōin, originally located at Uzumasa Yasui (Ukyo Ward of Kyoto City) was moved to the present site. As shrine deities, alonside the emperor Sutoku, Ōmononushi no Kami (transferred from Konpira Shrine in the land of Sanuki) and prince Yorimasa Minamoto were enshrined here. The shrine then became known as “Yasui Konpiragu”.
After the Meiji Restoration (1868) the name Rengekōin was abandoned and the name of the shrine was changed first to “ Yasui Jinja” and later to “ Yasui Konpiragu” by which it is known today.
Breaking off all kinds of bad relationships and initiating good ones
Since the main deity enshrined at the Yasui Konpiragu is the emperor Sutoku who, abandoning all worldly desires, confined himself to Konpiragu in the land of Sanuki, this shrine from olden times has been considered a place of prayer for abstinence and attracted many believers.
Furthermore, because emperor Sutoku was forced against his will to part with his favorite consort Awa no Naishi, the deity Sutoku, is known to save people from the kind of sad predicaments he himself experienced as well as removing all evil fate that stands in the way of happy relationships between men and women. Please have all of your bad fate, not only in relations between the sexes but also with illness, alcohol, cigarettes and gambling removed, and bound with your good fate.
When married or dating couples, who are matched by good fate, visit the shrine, their good relationship will not be disturbed. They should have no concerns, since they will be blessed with an even deeper and stronger connection.
Maritime safety
Ōmononushi no Kami, enshrined together with the emperor Sutoku, is believed in since long ago as a god of guidance on the road.
Especially Konpiragu of the land of Sanuki (Kagawa Prefecture) is regarded as a protective deity for marine traffic. This shrine is the only Konpira shrine in the city of Kyoto, and gathers the devotions of people who enjoy fishing and marine sports.
Traffic safety
As in the case of maritime safety the shrine offers protection related to traffic safety, due to the powers of the deity Ōmononushi no Kami.
In modern society, even if one does not actually cause any accidents, there is no sure way of knowing if, or when, one may get involved in one. This amulets blessing will protect you from all kinds of misfortunes related to traffic accidents, such as those involving cars, motorbikes, railway or any other method of transport.
