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!

Red Colors In Naritasan

This is a part two entry of Naritasan Shinshoji temple that features red colors I've seen there.

Inside the Great Main Hall

Goma (Sesame) fire ritual ceremony takes place twice a day and the ceremony has never ever been discontinued since the foundation of the temple. Over 1000 years!!! That's terrific! Fudo/Acala (不動明王) is worshipped there.

Niomon Gate

The 800 kg weighed big lantern (提灯) is hung in the Niomon gate (仁王門). It says "Uogashi (魚がし).

Three storied Pagoda

The 25 m tall three-storied pagoda (三重塔) was built in 1712.

Inari Shrine

Naritasan is very complex. Inari shrine (稲荷神社) is located in the temple.

This is Ruby Tuesday Too and Our World Tuesday - Back to School Edition entries.

           

Naritasan Temple

Just prior to taking an airplane at Narita airport, I visited Naritasan temple (成田山). 

Main hall

The actual name of the Buddhist temple complex is called Naritasan Shinshoji (成田山新勝寺) that was established in AD 940. It belongs to the Shingon school Chisan branch (真言宗智山派)

Three-storied pagoda image taken by Infrared camera

Acala (不動明王), a guardian deity of fire, is worshipped there.

Somon gate taken by an infrared camera

This is Weekend Black and White 27th of June entry.

Yaegaki Shrine

Posting Izumo shrines goes on...

Yaegaki shrine (八重垣神社) is the fourth shrine I visited on day one, where Susanoo (素盞鳴尊) and his wife, Kushinadahime (櫛稲田姫), are enshrined. Ohnamuchi/Ohkuni (大己貴命) and Aohatasakusahiko (青幡佐久佐日古命), who appears as Susanoo's son in Izumo fudoki (= ancient record in Izumo province/出雲国風土記), are also enshrined. Because of that, the shrine was formerly called Sakusa Shrine (佐久佐神社).

According to the Izumo fudoki, Aohatasakusahiko was originally enshrined there. Later on, the Yaegaki shirine that had been located in the Suga district was moved into the area of Sakusa shrine and Sakusa shrine was incorporated into Yaegaki shrine. Since 1922, the shrine has been called "Yaegaki shrine".

Main Hall with thick shimenawa

Behind the Haiden hall, there is a shrine called "Yamagami shrine (山神神社)", enshrining Iwanagahime (石長姫) and her dad, Ohyamatsumi (大山祇命).

Yamagami shrine

You see the ancient style torii gate (鳥居) and the symbol of man. The enshrined deity, Iwanagahime, has a younger sister called Konohayasakuyahime (木花之佐久夜毘売). Since Konohayasakuyahime is beautiful (but Iwanagahime is not), she became the wife of Ninigi (ニニギ), a grandson of Amaterasu (天照大神).

Here is the miserable story about Iwanagahime.

Konohanasakuyahime met Ninigi on the seashore and they fell in love; Ninigi asked Ohyamatsumi, the father of Konohanasakuyahime for her hand in marriage. Ohyamatsumi was pleased to hear that because Ninigi is the grandson of Amaterasu, who descended from the heaven to rule Ashiharanonakatsukuni. Ohyamatsumi gladly offered Ninigi Konohanasakuyahime and his older daughter, Iwanagahime, as well. Since Iwanagahime is ugly, Ninigi sent her back to Ohyamatsumi and married only with Konohayasakuyahime. Ohyamatsumi's intention of offering Ninigi his two daughters was to have Ninigi and his offspring to be long-lived life like hard rock ensured by Iwanagahime and prosperity like cherry (sakura) blossoms ensured by Konohayasakuyahime. Since Ninigi chose Konohayasakuyahime only, longevity became short and fleeting, like the sakura blossoms, instead of firm and everlasting, like stones.

Due to the above incident, Iwamagahime seeks male and male symbols are dedicated to her...

The shrine is believed to be the place where Susanoo hid Kushinadahime from Yamatanoorochi.

Susanoo slaying Yamatanoorochi (Image from Wiki)

To be continued...

This is Our World Tuesday 24 June entry.