Ayu fortune telling has been introduced at Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine in Sonobe, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, in honor of sweetfish, a specialty of the Tanba region of Kyoto Prefecture. By fishing for an ayu-shaped fortune telling slip with a pole, you can find out your fortune, as the kanji for ayu (sweetfish) and ayu (fortune telling) indicate. Although it was started mainly for children, it is said to be "surprisingly popular with adults as well."
The ayu fortune telling slips have been set up in front of the shrine office. Ayu with photos printed on them are lined up on a basket covered with a light blue furoshiki, and then fished with a bamboo pole with a magnet hanging from it. The clip attached to the ayu sticks to the fish, allowing you to enjoy "ayu fishing" while drawing your fortune. You can take the ayu home with you.
In Japanese mythology, Empress Jingu is said to have caught ayu while fishing to predict victory in battle. The "Kyoto - Come and See Tamba Association," made up of people involved in tourism, came up with the idea for the Ayu fortune telling slips, and they will be available at Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine, of which they are also a member, during the Ayu season from July to September.
Ikimi Tenmangu Shrine's chief priest, Takebe Yukiko, said, "We want to contribute to revitalizing the local area." Each slip costs 300 yen.
