Ametsuchi no Motohashira Part Two

Behind the story of the controversial tower goes on...

In 1935, Okada Cabinet (岡田啓介) launched the Committee for the 2600th Imperial Era Anniversary (紀元二千六百年記念行事). The original idea was to reform and expand the Kashihara Jingu (橿原神宮) in which Emperor Jimmu and his wife (Empress), Himetataraisuzu hime (媛蹈鞴五十鈴媛) are enshrined and the tomb of Emperor Jimmu and organize ceremonies in 1940. After the series of changes in the name and constitution of the Committee, the original plan kept swelling to the point of founding brand new shrines overseas such as Nanyoh shrine (南洋神社) in Palau and Kenkoku shrine/mausoleum (建国神廟) in the State of Manchuria. In addition, due to the enthusiastic promotion of the then Miyazaki Governer, Katsuroku Aikawa (相川勝六), the plan to build the monumental tower in Miyazaki was integrated into the initial plan, as well. You may wonder why in Miyazaki? 

The so-called Heiwadai highland was opted for the place to build the memorial tower because the Heiwadai is closely located north of the palace (called Kohguh-ya/皇宮屋) where Emperor Jimmu settled until his Eastern Expedition. After all, the start and the end of Jimmu's Eastern Expedition were refurnished by subsidies.

From left to right: Katsuroku Aikawa, Keisuke Okada, Jitsuzo Hinago. All images from Wiki

Jitsuzo Hinago (日名子実三), a sculptor famous for designing Yatagarasu, a mythical three-legged crow for the symbol of the Japan Football Association (JFA), designed the Ametsuchi no motohashira tower free of charge. When designing the tower, Hinago was inspired by Gohei (御幣) he saw in Miyazaki Jingu (宮崎神宮). Gohei is one of the offerings to the enshrined deities (Shinsen/神饌). Being Shinto as part of animism, ancient Japanese acknowledged mother nature (divine beings) that made their living on hunter-gathering. Harvested cereals, fruits, vegetables, sake (Japanese wine), and textiles, are offerings in many cases whereas Gohei is a non-edible offering. In many cases, Gohei is made up of wooden wands decorated with two shide (zigzagging paper streamers). Apart from offering purposes, Gohei was considered as "Yorishiro (依り代)", an object that the deity haunts.

 

Image from Wiki

At each corner of the tower, statues of four deities made of stoneware in Shigaraki style (信楽焼) are deposited. They are called Aramitama/荒御魂 as a worrier, Nigimitama/和御魂 as a merchant, Sachimitama/幸御魂 as a farmer, and Kushimitama/奇御魂 as a fisherman, respectively. 

Aramitama/荒御魂 as a worrier

Nigimitama/和御魂 as a merchant

Sachimitama/幸御魂 as a farmer

Kushimitama/奇御魂 as a fisherman

Governor Aikawa actively contacted newspapers for promoting the concept of a new tower. Aikawa’s ideas of building a new tower were (1) to symbolize Emperor Jimmu’s aspiration of establishing a new country and the prosperity of Imperial Japan in the future and (2) to record the accomplishments of Japan 2600 years after his Eastern Expedition. To come Aikawa's ambitions and concepts to fruition, especially for the purpose of objective (2), founding stones for the tower base were dispatched not only from domestic Japanese territories but also overseas such as Manchuria, South Pacific islands, and European and American continents. Altogether, 1789 stones (most of which were from Miyazaki Prefecture and closer prefectures) were piled-up for building the base of the tower. Of 1789 stones, 349 stones were delivered from overseas.

3 from Canada 

2 from the US 

1 from Peru 

1 from Nazis Germany 

4 from Southeast Asia and Pacific Oceania 

118 from Korea Peninsula

104 from China (58 of which were plundered by expeditionary forces from the hostile ground)

80 from Manchuria (6 of which were looted by expeditionary forces from the hostile ground)

36 from Taiwan

The largest territory of Imperial Japan (Image from Wiki with modification)

Among stones "donated" from Manchuria, China, and Korea, some were the plunders from historical buildings/monuments by Imperial Japan military forces. Obviously, the intention of the Government was to proudly declare the augmentation of the country that launched from the Kashihara district 2600 years ago and expect further prosperity in the following century, 2700. In fact, the numbers of population, territory size, and how far the reign of the Emperor has augmented overseas were inscribed on the back side of the tower. Stones dispatched from overseas were the smoking gun evidence to prove it. Now we all know that the everlasting expansion policy of Imperial Japan evaporated into a mirage after WWII yet in 1940, the Japanese, especially politicians, were obsessed with mythical and patriotic fairytales.

Due to the occupation by the Allies of WW II, Japanese mass media and politicians made a swift “left” turn. Commanded by Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP) in 1946, the worrier statue, “Aramitama”, and the letter “八紘一宇” inscribed on the front were expropriated! The name of the tower changed to "Peace Tower" (平和の塔)" in 1957. The name of the tower remained the same by now. The worrier statue and the inscribed letter were restored in 1962 or 1965, respectively. Till the tower was restored to its original design, the tower has been ruined. It was used for practicing rock climbing. Affirmative, the tower is made of rocks... 

Rock climbing the tower (Image from Wiki)

What a terrible change the tower has been through!!!

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Tengu Carving in Kushida Shrine

 Tengu carving in Kushida shrine (櫛田神社) in Hakata, Fukuoka city, my favorite town!

Haniwa Park in Miyazaki

 The story about Heiwadai Park in Miyazaki goes on.

I came across Chestnut tigers when rambling Haniwa Park within Heiwadai Park where around 400 replicas of ancient Japanese terracotta Earthenware figures called "Haniwa (埴輪)" were displayed.  Hani/埴 and wa/輪 mean clay and circle, respectively. 

The history of Haniwa, which belong to Haji pottery (土師器), is considered to originate from the base-shaped potteries (特殊器台・特殊壺). They were made in the latter Yayoi period (2nd century) and were discovered in Kibi province. As time went by, the shape of Haniwa turned into more complicated forms that mimicked their belongings (i.e. houses, animals, tools), habits, and spiritual beings. Along with Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan, Haniwa production flourished in the 5th century.

Recently, man-shaped Haniwa were dug up from Mukadezuka of Nyutabaru Burial Mounds (新田原古墳群第58号墳 [百足塚古墳]) and house or boat-shaped Haniwa were at Saitobaru Burial Mounds (西都原古墳群). All of them are valuable in their quality and quantity.

To my surprise, around 400 Haniwa displayed in the park were made by a passionate woman, named Masa Honbu (本部マサ　1907-1991) in 1963. Yes, these Haniwa were made almost 60 years ago!!! Well, to be precise, she did not make 400 Haniwa all by herself. It was her company (see YouTube below). Either way, Ms. Honbu is considered the Godmother of Haniwa production in Japan.

Jizo statues in Daisho-in

This is part two entry of Daisho-in (大聖院) in Miyajima island, which is photo only but I hope you can grasp the atmosphere and solemnness of the temple. Words are not always required to express...

A Happy New Year 2015

Dear visitors,

A Happy New Year!!! 明けましておめでとうございます。

Thank you for visiting my photoblog although entry is posted infrequently^^

May every day of 2015 glow with cheer, happiness, and love for you and your family.

Cheers, Yoshi

photo from the archive...

Mizuko Jizo Statues

At Tagesan Fudoson (多気不動尊).

This is a Wordless Wednesday entry.

Jizo Statue

A jizo (地蔵菩薩) statue photographed at the cemetery of Jikoji temple (慈光寺) of the Jodo school of Buddhism (浄土宗) in Utsunomiya city. It was heartbreaking to see that many statues, especially the old ones, were either cracked or crushed there and they still remained as they are up until now...

The statue in this photo is taller than me and obviously one of several that survived the March 11th earthquake!

南無阿弥陀仏...

This is a Outdoor Wednesday #159 and Sky Watch Friday entry.

           

Bronze Statue Of Sacred Horse

It was a beautiful day today, though it was cold... When we went to downtown, I stopped at Futaarayama shrine (二荒山神社) to photograph whatever looks interesting. I captured the bronze statue of the sacred horse there.


This is a Black and White Weekend entry.

Have a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

Takamori SAIGO

His name is Takamori SAIGO (西郷隆盛). He was one of the Samurai who played major roles in Meiji Restoration (明治維新). I photographed his bronze statue at Ueno Park, Tokyo. He's also known as a dog lover!

Image from Wiki

His last stand against the Meiji government in the Battle of Shiroyama was the historical basis for the 2003 film The Last Samurai. Katsumoto, played by Ken Watanabe in the movie, is based on SAIGO.


This is a Sky Watch Friday and Walk In The Street.

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Stone Carving

That creepy stone Monk carving was found at the Seiganji Temple (清厳寺) in Utsunomiya city, Tochigi Prefecture. Stone carvings like that (though not always creepy) can be found at Buddhist temples and they are relatively new. I assume that they are sort of eye-catching mascots with vague significance both in history and religion...

This is a Sepia Scenes #123 and Alphabe-Thursday entry (V is for vague).

           

White Angel

@Gif Sur-Yvette, France.

This is a Wordless Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday #112, and ABC Wednesday entry. G is for "Gif Sur-Yvette".

             

Blessed Piper

Yes, it's him again. A Pied Piper of little boy riding on a "SLUG". When I went to say "Hi" to him, I saw him surrounded by his friends, pigeons. Well, quite a lot of them, I have to say. I was speechless then and forgot my greeting to him.

If you want to know him, please click here and there.

    

As usual, this is a Sky Watch Friday, Looking at the Sky on Friday, and Foto Friday entry.

     

His Mission During December

Do you remember this little boy? A Pied Piper of little boy riding on a "SLUG". Last month, I eyewitnessed his everyday mission of making clouds.

Click image to to see his everyday mission. That's one of my favorite photos.

However, it's been sunny lately and I wondered how he's been doing...

So I went to see him today. Everything was clear. In December, his mission is to make soap bubbles of light illumination after dusk!!! No wonder it's been so sunny and that we have illuminations all over.

Utsunomiya central park has a Christmas light-up during this month (from 16:00- 18:00).


This is an entry for Show Me Japan.

And as usual, this is also a Sky Watch Friday, Looking at the Sky on Friday, Aspire Photo Challenge, and Photo Friday entry. This week's challenge is "Tranquil".