Showing posts with label Shinto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shinto. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Yu Jinja (Yu Shrine) – A Shinto Shrine for Dogo Onsen Honkan
Enshrined at Yu Jinja (Hot Spring Holy Shrine) are Onamuchi no Mikoto (Okuninushi no Mikoto) and Sukunahikon no Mikoto, deities who figure in the origin of Dogo Hot Spring. The shrine is listed in the Engi-shiki, a book of laws and regulations from the 10th century.
It is said to have been built in Sadidani when the legendary Emperor Keiko and Empress Yasaka no Irihime visited Dogo. Later, when Emperor Jomei paid a visit in the 7th century, he had the main building reconstructed. Subsequently, the shrine was revered and given offerings by high-ranking officials and feudal lords.
When the hot spring was buried after an earthquake in 1527, the shrine was moved to the precinct of the Izumo’oka Shrine (on present day Kanmuri Hill). Whenever an earthquake or some other event causes the waters of Dogo Hot Spring to stop flowing, sacred dances and prayers are offered at Yu Shrine. After a 1707 earthquake, the feudal lord had a special yu-gito (lit. “hot spring prayers”) offered. This observance continues even today and is well known, along with the shrine’s New Year Hatsune Festival.
It is said to have been built in Sadidani when the legendary Emperor Keiko and Empress Yasaka no Irihime visited Dogo. Later, when Emperor Jomei paid a visit in the 7th century, he had the main building reconstructed. Subsequently, the shrine was revered and given offerings by high-ranking officials and feudal lords.
When the hot spring was buried after an earthquake in 1527, the shrine was moved to the precinct of the Izumo’oka Shrine (on present day Kanmuri Hill). Whenever an earthquake or some other event causes the waters of Dogo Hot Spring to stop flowing, sacred dances and prayers are offered at Yu Shrine. After a 1707 earthquake, the feudal lord had a special yu-gito (lit. “hot spring prayers”) offered. This observance continues even today and is well known, along with the shrine’s New Year Hatsune Festival.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Konpirsan Shrine - Kagawa Prefecture
Konpirasan, also known as Kotohiragu is the main shrine dedicated to sailors and sea-fairing. There are other Kompira shrines in Japan but the shrine in Kotohira, Kagawa is the principal shrine. Historically, it has been a place of worship as both a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple. It was officially declared a shrine at the beginning of the Meiji period when the Meiji government separated the two religions. Kompirasan shrine still has elements of both Shinto and Buddhist influences. The shrine appears as a Shinto structure but there will be a Buddhist priest residing there.
The shrine is located on the slopes of Mount Zozu and is a daunting climb of 1,368 stone steps. The climb starts in the heart of the touristy part of Kotohira with a mixture of souvenir shops and Sanuki udon restaurants. From there it is a about a 45 minute climb walking past other shrines and museums on the way up.
At the main shrine, there is a viewpoint overlooking Kotohira. Next to the shrine is Ema Hall which displays plates and pictures of ships, battleships and even space rockets whose crews have sought the protection of the shrine. There is also a real mini-sub on display.
To understand why there would be a shrine for sea-faring and sailors on top of a mountain makes a person realize that the depths of the ocean can only be compared to the height of a mountain. To those who have lost their lives at sea, you have to be on top of a mountain to imagine the same distance but only under the sea and not on top of a mountain.
Many famous Samurai have visited this shrine and have left their weapons in tribute to those who lost their lives at sea. Japan is a sea-faring nation. Many school children will visit this shrine so they can understand that those who have lost their lives at sea are remembered and prayed for.
On the way up to the shrine, I was passed by numerous school children, laughing and carrying their back-packs. The higher up we went, the slower the running children got. At the top, they sat on the steps of the stairs and waved and smiled to the visitors they passed on the way up. The view above and the poignancy of the shrine are well worth the walk up.
Name in Japanese - 金刀比羅宮 — kotohira-gu — Kotohira-gu, or Konpira-san
Red arrow (the start of the climb)
School children
Sea faring artifacts
Entrance gate (Omon)
View through the gate
The climb
Giant propeller
More school children
Cleanse your soul
Final ascent to the shrine
The children that passed you will also greet you
Kotohira town
The shrine
The shrine
Ema hall
School children
Charms
Sacred tree
Ema hall
Buddhist architecture
The walk back down
A great place to stop for some refreshment on the way back or on the way up
The shrine is located on the slopes of Mount Zozu and is a daunting climb of 1,368 stone steps. The climb starts in the heart of the touristy part of Kotohira with a mixture of souvenir shops and Sanuki udon restaurants. From there it is a about a 45 minute climb walking past other shrines and museums on the way up.
At the main shrine, there is a viewpoint overlooking Kotohira. Next to the shrine is Ema Hall which displays plates and pictures of ships, battleships and even space rockets whose crews have sought the protection of the shrine. There is also a real mini-sub on display.
To understand why there would be a shrine for sea-faring and sailors on top of a mountain makes a person realize that the depths of the ocean can only be compared to the height of a mountain. To those who have lost their lives at sea, you have to be on top of a mountain to imagine the same distance but only under the sea and not on top of a mountain.
Many famous Samurai have visited this shrine and have left their weapons in tribute to those who lost their lives at sea. Japan is a sea-faring nation. Many school children will visit this shrine so they can understand that those who have lost their lives at sea are remembered and prayed for.
On the way up to the shrine, I was passed by numerous school children, laughing and carrying their back-packs. The higher up we went, the slower the running children got. At the top, they sat on the steps of the stairs and waved and smiled to the visitors they passed on the way up. The view above and the poignancy of the shrine are well worth the walk up.
Name in Japanese - 金刀比羅宮 — kotohira-gu — Kotohira-gu, or Konpira-san
Thursday, December 20, 2012
A small Shinto Shrine
This little Shinto Shrine lies out of the way, on the moat of Matsuyama Castle. It is nestled in downtown Matsuyama surrounded by traffic, children going to school and cars, trucks, buses and the local train known as “Botchan.” Shrines and Temples are all over the place and sometimes in the least likely spot imaginable.
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