Kashiigu

Kashiigu (香椎宮) is the shrine located in Fukuoka city, Kyushu (= nine provinces). I've long wanted to explore Kyushu area and eventually had an opportunity to visit shrines, although I had only two days. 

As you can tell from the photos, it's been raining when I visited Kashiigu:(

You may realize that in Kyushu area a myriad of shrines enshrine Emperor Chuai/Tarashinakatsuhikono sumeramikoto (仲哀天皇/帯中日子天皇), his wife Empress Jingu/Okunagatarashihimenomikoto (神功皇后/息長帯比売命), and their offspring, Emperor Ohjin/Hondawakenomikoto (応神天皇/誉田別尊) because Emperor Chuai's troops visited many places in Kyushu.

They stayed in Tsukushi Province (筑紫郡) that was located within Fukuoka Prefecture to conquer Kumaso (熊襲), a rebel against Emperor's dynasty, who were settled mostly in southern part of Kyushu. 

Stone monument of Chuai's HQ settlement

When Emperor Chuai headquartered in Tsukushi province, his wife Empress Jingu was suddenly struck a condition called "spirit possession" and that's when she received a divine message. However, Emperor Chuai didn't take it into consideration and blamed the deity. Owing to his faithfulness deed, he passed away there a year later after the divine message. Widow Jingu built his mausoleum in a place called Furumiya (= old palace/古宮). It was AD200... 

Furumiya - Chuai's original mausoleum

In AD724, Empress Jingu's mausoleum was built there, too. That's why Kashiigu was considered to be the mausoleum and therefore it's been called "Kashii (香椎) byo (=mausoleum/廟) until 10th Century. It wasn't an ordinary shrine then.

View from the middle gate

Main hall (本殿) is registered as important cultural property of Japan (重要文化財) because the hall is built in an unique structure called "Kashii tsukuri (香椎造)".

Haiden hall

Needless to say, Kashiigu enshrines Emperor Chuai and Empress Jingu as primary deities, Emperor Ohjin and Sumiyoshi Ohkami (住吉大神) as subordinates. Why Sumiyoshi Ohkami enshrined??? Don't worry. I will explain later in the upcoming entry!

I've never seen Komainu (狛犬) having such a small face! It's so muscular that reminds me of Gozirra.

Kintai Bridge

When I returned from the trip to Mijamija Island, I stopped by at one of the most famous (in a bizarre way) bridges in Japan. It is called Kintai bridge (or Kintaikyo bridge/錦帯橋橋) that was built in 1673.

The bridge consists of five arches made of wood. The bridge has 193.3 meter long and 5 meter width to spans across Nishiki river (錦川),  . 

Until Meiji restoration only Samurai and wealthy local merchants were allowed to cross the bridge. At present, fee to cross bridge costs 300 JPY (adult). The toll gate is open from 8 to 17, however, it is possible to cross bridge before/after opening hours as long as you drop entrance fee in the box located at toll gate.

Alternatively you can cross river by boat!

Pindola Bharadvaja

Adjacent to the Miyajima shrine Daiganji-temple (大願寺) is located. The temple is also known as Kikyozan Hohkoin (亀居山放光院). It belongs to Mt. Koya Shingon school (高野山真言宗). The temple is dedicated to Benzaiten (弁財天), which was transferred from Itsukushima shrine after the Meiji restoration.

In front of the main hall, there is a wooden statue named Pindora Bharadvaja, who was one of four Arhats asked by the Buddha to remain in the world to propagate Dharma. In Japan, he is called "Binzuru sonja (賓頭盧尊者), an abbreviation of Biodora Baradaja (賓度羅跋囉惰闍). 

As you can see, the wooden statue is pretty worn out. This is due to the belief that he is reputed to have healing powers. Visitors rub a part of this effigy that corresponds to the sick or weak parts of their bodies. 

Does it mean kids touching his head have problems with brain cancer???

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...

Daisho-in Henjokutsu

Daisho-in (大聖院), formally named Takiyama Suishoji temple Daisho-in (多喜山/滝山 水精寺大聖院) located in Mt. Misen (弥山), is the oldest temple in Miyajima Island (宮島). It belongs to Shingon school Omuro party (真言宗御室派), in which Ninna-ji temple (仁和寺) in Kyoto is the head of the temple. Daisho-in has made an alliance with Ninna-ji temple and several emperors have had official and private visits there. Main Hall (本堂) was built as the place for Emperor Toba (鳥羽天皇)'s prayer.

Inside of Henjokutsu

Although there is no historical evidence confirming the involvement of Kukai/Kobo daishi (空海/弘法大師) with Daisho-in (based on Wiki Japanese), it is said that Kukai landed in Miyajima island in 806 AD, gone through disciplines at Mt. Misen and developed the Daisho-in temple.

Image from Daisho-in HP

As depicted in the cartoon map above, halls and buildings related to Daisho-in are scattered throughout Mt. Misen. Due to the limited time window of my stay in Miyajima island, I couldn't visit them all, however, one place caught my attention!!! It is called Henjokutsu (遍照窟), situated on the underground level of the oldest building, Daishido Hall (大師堂). 

Statue of Kukai???

"Henjokutsu" means cave (kutsu/窟) ubiquitously (hen/遍) illuminated (jo/照) by flames of happiness. It is a place to hope for peace in the world. The ceiling is overwhelmingly filled with lanterns and the floor is occupied with worshiped Buddha stone statues. Visiting there for worshiping is believed to benefit divine grace equivalent to those granted from Shikoku pilgrimage (multi-site pilgrimage of 88 temples associated with Kukai on the island of Shikoku/四国遍路). Sands from 88 temples for the Shikoku pilgrimage are gathered there. All you have to do is to step on them all, which is regarded as a pilgrimage of 88 temples in Shikoku island! Very convenient, isn't it?

Wedding Ceremony At Itsukushima Shrine

This is a part 4 entry of Itsukushima Shrine.

When I was in Itsukushima shrine, I saw a formally dressed Japanese getting together at Haiden Hall. The wedding ceremony was about to take place!!!

The base sounds of taiko (drum) broke the silence and echoed all over the shrine. Then Shinto priest appeared without making noise, sat down in front of three deities, and delivered norito (祝詞) prayer. 

The ceremony was solemn but also a heartwarming moment as I could see that the young generation still follows our tradition. 

Happy Ever After!

This is Our World Tuesday 13, July 2015 entry.

Gatekeeper deities in Itsukushima Shrine

This is a part 3 entry of Itsukushima Shrine.

In almost all cases of visiting a shrine, worshippers go through the torii gate first and walk on the entrance path (参道) to approach Haiden Hall (拝殿). In the case of going and worshipping Itsukushima shrine, it is unrealistic to do so even when it is at the ebb. Although the entrance of the Itsukushima shrine is situated on the northeastern shore, I am going to explain the buildings, structures, and shrines present in the Itsukushima shrine according to the route from the bayside (= torii gate).

After passing under the big torii gate and walking toward the main hall (本殿), the first shrine located at the corners of the flat stage (平舞台) is called Kadomaroudo shrine (門客人神社).

Image from Hatsukaichi city

The one to the left enshrines "Kushiiwamado no kami (櫛石窓神)" and the other to the right enshrines "Toyoiwamado no kami (豊石窓神)". The two deities are also called "Amanoiwatowake no kami (= Gatekeeper deity at Heaven's gate made of rock/天岩門別神), who appeared in Japan chronicle where Ninigi(ニニギ), a grandson of Amaterasu (アマテラス), descended from heaven (Tenson ko-rin/天孫降臨). 

Kushiiwamado safeguarding at the left corner

Deities who followed Ninigi are called "Itsutomonowo (= five accompanied deities/五伴諸)" that include Amenokoyame (天児屋命), Futodama (布刀玉命), Amanouzume (天宇受売命), Ishikoridome (伊斯許理度売命), Tamanooya no mikoto (玉祖命). Besides, when Amaterasu sent Ninigi to pacify earth (= hostile ground), she passed him the Imperial regalia (= three sacred treasures of Japan/三種の神器) and asked three deities to support him. Three deities are named "Omoikane (思金神)", Anemotajikarao (天手力男神), and Amanoiwatowake (天岩門別神), the Gatekeepers of heaven's gate. Amanoiwatowake is said to be the offspring of Amanofutodama (天太玉神).

Obviously, the Amanoiwatowake's mission was to be at the corners of the gate and secure Ninigi against invasions of evil. Interestingly, their positions are always fixed - Kushiiwamado enshrined at the left and Toyoiwamado at the right.

It makes perfect sense to me that two gatekeeper deities are enshrined at the very front of Itsukushima shrine, assuming that the two deities can protect the shrine from high tides caused by typhoons.

To be continued...

Yum Yum

This is a part two entry of Itsukushima shrine (厳島神社) on Miyajima island (宮島).

Yum!

Deers are thought of as sacred in the native Shinto religion because they are considered messengers of gods. 

Yum Yum!

Deers in Miyajima island have lived on the island for 6,000 years. After the world war II when Japan was under the GHQ's occupation, deers were hunt by the occupation army and their population fell drastically down so that deers were transferred from Kasuga Taisha (春日大社) in Nara. Since then they have been half-domesticated and fed by natives and tourists, the population recovered. 

Yum Yum Yum!

Well, now it seems overpopulated and they are notorious for eating maps!!!

Torii Gate At Itsukushima Shrine

One of my dreams has come true again!!!

Ever since the time of birth, my life has been related to Shinto somehow. My name was bestowed at Futaarasan shrine (日光二荒山神社) in Nikko where Ohkuni (大国主/大己貴命), Tagorihime (=his wife/田心姫), and Ajisukutakahikone (their offspring/味耜高彦根命), are enshrined. Last year I had a visit Izumo Taisha where the ruler of Izumo province, Ohkuni, is enshrined. It was an amazing experience and I would like to revisit it someday...

This year, I headed for Miyajima island (宮島) in Hiroshima Prefecture. According to Wiki, there are no traffic lights in this 2,000-inhabited island. My intention was to see one of his wives (Ohkuni committed bigamy that resulted in 180 or 181 offspring!), Tagorihime, enshrined in Itsukushima shrine (厳島神社).

Actually, Tagorihime is not the only enshrined deity in the Itsukushima shrine. Her sisters, Ichikishimahime (市杵島姫命) and Tagitsuhime (湍津姫命) are enshrined there, too. They are called "Munakata sanjoshin (= three female deities of Munakata/宗像三女神) and they tend to be enshrined altogether in shrines such as Munakata shrines (宗像神社), Itsukushima shrines (厳島神社), Manai shrines (真名井神社) and so on. Since they are deities of water, above mentioned shrines tend to be located nearby water and are distributed all over Japan. They were born when Susanoo (their dad) and Amaterasu did a ritual ceremony called "Ukei (誓約)". Since it's obvious that the name of the island came from Ichikishimahime, she must be the primary enshrined deity there... 

Itsukushima shrine is the most prestige shrine, called ichinomiya (一宮), in Aki Province (=western part of present Hiroshima Prefecture) and, as you are already aware of, the shrine was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. 

The photo of the big torii gate is something like a cover page type of photo in travel magazines featuring Japanese tourism, as it represents the beauty and spirit of Japan. Itsukushima shrine gained solemnness and prestige when Kihomori Taira (平清盛) was assigned as the Governor of Aki Province in AD1146. 

The current torii is the 8th generation that was built in 1875. The 16.6 meters, weighed 60,000 kg big giant is taller than the Buddha statue (東大寺盧舎那仏像) in Todaiji Temple (東大寺), Nara!!! The style of this torii is called Ryohbu Torii (両部鳥居) that belongs to myojin torii (明神鳥居) family. The roof-looking post is called kasagi (笠木) that is attached to the post called shimagi (島木). The inner spaces of both Kasagi and shinagi are originally empty but are filled with tons of fist-sized stones and sands, weighing around 5000kg. Although two main pillars are pinned down to the foundation, the giant torii is able to stand by itself mostly due to the weight imposed from the top. Even by typhoon attacks!!!

To be continued...

The 400th Anniversary of Spring Festival in Nikko Part 2

This is a part 2 entry of the Spring Festival in Nikko. 

On May 18th there is a procession called Hyakumonozoroe sennin musha gyoretsu (百物揃千人武者行列), depicting "the procession of 1000 warriors dressed in 100 different costumes". Although I didn't count the exact numbers of costumes and participants, it is said that there are 53 types of traditional costumes (they haven't been changed over 300 years) and around 1200 local guys were in the procession today. 

Among 53 costumes I assume the most popular and the most expensive one must be samurai. It seems around 100 local guys were cosplaying samurai!!!

In the spring festival, three mikoshis (portable shrines) appear. On average 50 guys carry 800kg weigh mikoshi and walk 1 km (one way).

It is announced that enshrined deities in three mikoshis are - Ieyasu Tokugawa (徳川家康), Hideyoshi Toyotomi (豊臣秀吉), and Yoritomo Minamoto (源頼朝). However, personally, I don't agree with it at all. I think it is still controversial. Since it's a loooong story, I will mention what I think in the following entry. So stay tuned:)

I bet the most beloved costume must be this - Chigo gyoretsu (稚児行列/little boy's procession).

Look at me! Am I cute?

At 11 AM, the procession left Futaarasan shrine (日光二荒山神社) and headed for Toshogu shrine, then arrived at Otabisho (御旅所/sort of inn for portable shrine). After a couple of ritual ceremonies being taken place in Otabisho, it was time for the return trip, which started at 1 PM. The number of audience went down to half when it's returning. I personally like the return procession. 

Participants are almost composed of men, except these two who are real Miko (巫女) dispatched from Futaarasan shrine, I assume.

To be continued

The 400th Anniversary of Spring Festival In Nikko

This year 2015 is a special year for Nikko Toshogu (日光東照宮). The enshrined deity, Ieyasu Tokugawa, a founder of the Tokugawa shogunate in Edo period passed away on May 17th, 1615. Nikko was originally developed by Monk Shodo (勝道) in 766 AD but today Nikko locals as well as Tokugawa relatives celebrate 400 year anniversary for Ieyasu's death in Toshogu shrine. Based on his last will, his spirit was transferred from Kuno-zan (久能山) to Nikko. The procession called "1000 warriors" represents the process of his spirit transfer. 

Fortunately the first day hit on Sunday this year and, because of that, lots of tourists- Japanese and foreigners- were there under the beautiful blue sky and we had a terrific traffic jam!!! It took me about an hour to get from JR Nikko station to Shinkyo bridge (around 2 km) that corresponds to the same time as I spent to get from my hometown (Utsunomiya city) to JR Nikko station (around 42 km).

Bingo!

Yabusame performance started at 14:30 and finished around 15:15.

Bingo 2!!

I assume there are 4 archers shooting targets. Some but not all are very skilled!

Am I beautiful?

The little boy is called Chigo (稚児), local elementary school boys dressed in a traditional kimono and make-up.

Whoops! Did I kill photographers???

There are three targets along Omote Sando (表参道/main street to Toshogu first torii gate) and only one or two archers could manage to shoot them all.

BTW, it was also a special day for me as I launched a new lens, M. Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO. All the images in this entry are taken by this!!!

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...

Rurikoji Temple

From archive photos...

Rurikouji temple (瑠璃光寺), located in Yamaguchi city downtown, is Soto/Caodong school (曹洞宗) Buddhist temple that Bhaisajyaguru (薬師如来) is worshiped. The temple is a complex comprising Kazan (香山) park and Kazan cemetery where tombs of Mohri clan (毛利氏) are found. The cemetery is registered as historic site (史跡).

Entrance to Kazan Cemetery

The Rurikohji temple was originally located at Nihotakano (仁保高野) in Yamaguchi city that was established in 1447 by the widow of Hirofusa Sue (陶弘房) in condolence to him. Initially, it is called Anyohji temple (安養寺) but changed to Rurikohji temple in 1492.

Before the Rurikohji was moved to the current place, Kohshakuji temple (香積寺), established by Yoshihiro Ohuchi (大内義弘), was there. In 1604,  Terumoto Mohri (毛利輝元) decided to move the Kohshakuji temple to Hagi city. In 1690 Rurikouji temple was transferred there.

The 31.2 meters tall five-story pagoda (五重塔), built around 1442, is registered as National treasures of Japan (国宝). It is the 10th oldest one in Japan.

Five-story pagoda

This is Our World Tuesday entry.

Have a wonderful week.

Yamaguchi Daijingu

Photos taken in Yamaguchi Prefecture continue...

Yamaguchi Daijingu (山口大神宮), located in Yamaguchi city center nearby Prefectural Office (山口県庁), is established in 1520 by dividing the spirit of Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮). It follows the same style as Ise Grand Shrine - Naikuh (内宮) enshrining Amaterasu (天照大神), as well as Amanotajikarao (天手力男神) and Yorozuhata-Toyoakitsuhimenomikoto (萬幡豊秋津姫命) and Gekuh (外宮) - enshrining Toyoukeno-ohmikami (豊受大御神), as well as Ninigi (天津彦彦火瓊々芸命), Amanokoyane (天児屋根命), Amanofutodama (天太玉命), Takeminakata (建御名方神) and Yasakatojinomikoto (八坂刀自命)

Naikuh (内宮)

These Halls are built based on a traditional shinto style called Yuiitsu shinmeitzukuri (唯一神明造) characteristic structure is seen on a rooftop. 

Another view of Naikuh

Takamine Inari shrine (高嶺稲荷神社) and Taga shrine (多賀神社) are also in the area of Yamaguchi Daijingu.

Taga Shrine

Kikugahama in Hagi City

Thanks to the warm hospitality of a local friend, Kuchiba-san, I was introduced to several sightseeing spots in Hagi city (萩市) in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

The place is called Kikugahama (菊が浜) beach and this is her favorite place to visit. I agree!