2026 Japan: Meiji Jingu (IV)

 These two camphor trees were planted in 1920.  They are now known as "meoto kusu" (Husband and Wife) and are symbols of a happy marriage and harmonious life.

We have seen ema, the prayer boards, before.  Interestingly, there were several asking that the Korean Kpop group BTS come to Japan!

On our way back out:

Post visit snack:

2026 Japan: Meiji Jingu (III)

 Entering into the main portion of the Meiji Jingu.  There is not a lot to say about today's post, other than the beautiful woodwork.

2026 Japan: Meiji Jingu (II)

 Both the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken wrote a great deal of poetry; some is displayed on the walk to the main shrine.

"Colorful flowers

may well beautifully adorn

the hair of a woman,

but the fragrance of sincerity

is the heart's real elegance"

-  Empress Shōken

"Should one desire

to follow a path of learning

even though busy, 

we can always find time to study

even in this world of ours."

- Emperor Meiji

The torii to the Main Shrine:

Instructions on ablutions (in case you are ever in the neighborhood):

A stage.  Presentations and religious ceremonies are performed here.  My school has done a demonstration on a similar stage at the Yasukuni Shrine.

The entrance to the Main Shrine:

2026 Japan: Meiji Jingu (I)

 The Meiji Jingu (明治神宮) is a shrine located in Shibuya, a district of Tokyo (the area as the famous Shibuya Crossing you may have seen in videos). The spirits of the Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken are enshrined here.

Emperor Meiji (birth name Mutsuhito, lived A.D. 1852-1912) was a pivotal figure in Japanese history.  At the start of his reign, the Shogunate system, which had effectively ruled Japan for 700 years and left the Emperors as figureheads, was abolished.  The old system of domains was abolished, the samurai removed as a social class, and a process of modernization started.  Depending on your perspective, he either saved Japan from being carved up by 19th Century Imperial powers and brought Japan into the modern world, or oversaw the abandonment (and destruction in some cases) of Japanese heritage and culture. Or maybe both.

The Shrine was started in 1915 and completed in 1926.  It was destroyed during World War II, but rebuilt in 1957.

The land for the shrine was originally a hunting ground for one of the daimyo (Great Lords) that dwelt in Tokyo.  It consists of 170 acres and includes 120,000 trees of 365 varieties.

As we saw at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman Jingu, sake makers send casks to for good fortune for the coming year.

Wine-makers from Burgundy, France also donated casks of wine for consecration.

2026 Japan: Engakuji (IV)

 A final stop was a hike up the hill to see the Ogane (Great Bell) of Engakuji:

It is a pretty steep run up:

It includes supervision by local inhabitants:

The Bentendo, dedicted to Benzaiten, patroness of the arts, literature, and learning:

The Ogane.  Cast in A.D. 1301, it is 2.6 m/8.5 ft tall and is one of the largest temple bells in Japan.

The view from the top was incredible:

2026 Japan: Engakuji (III)

 Gate Carvings:

The Shariden, or Treasure House.  It dates from the Muromachi period (A.D. 1336-1573), although it has been restored. Enshrined here is a tooth of the Buddha.

The memorial of Hojo Tokimune, one of the Hojo regents:

Part of the Obai-in, containing a statue of the Kannon.