kenleewrites in 日本

Alright! Did you know that there are many Toshogu Shrines around Japan? Basically any Shinto shrine which enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a Toshogu Shrine! But, the most famous of all, is this particular one in Nikko (his final remains are kept here too!). I think I should point something out… The Kanji (東照宮) already has the word shrine in it. That last character. The actual name of the shrine is called Toshogu (from those 3 kanji-s). Calling it Toshogu Shrine is just a convenience for us English-speaking folk. The same goes for rivers too. Most names of rivers in Japan already have the “river” character in it (usually read ~gawa or ~kawa). Remember this when you see a sign that says Tamagawa River or Arakawa River ^^. I don’t know if many people notice this though. Anyway, sidetracked too much ^^.

Here’s the 5 storied pagoda right at the entrance to Toshogu. Yeap. The surrounding trees are just as tall!

One of the gates leading in. This one’s protected by Fujin (left, God of Wind) and Raijin (right, God of Thunder). I’m a big fan of Fujin Raijin motifs. Btw, I don’t know how much you know, but Naruto is heavily influence by Japanese mythology. Sasuke having lightning-element chakra and Naruto having wind-element chakra is just an example ^^.

What do you call these? Lampposts? They do look nice when lined up neatly.

This building here houses the famous intricate monkey carvings.

This one being the most famous of all. The three wise monkeys (三猿, san’en or sanzaru, or 三匹の猿, sanbiki no saru). “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” (mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru). Sometimes there is a fourth monkey in the group with his hands covering his crotch. “Do no evil” (shizaru) ^^. (見猿, 聞か猿, 言わ猿, し猿). The “zaru” is a pun in Japanese. Read about it at wikipedia.

Ema (絵馬). Write your wishes on those wooden blocks and then hang it up for all to see ^^. I like to read some of those up there. Found a really nice one which I like. It’ll be in part 2!

They have cameras to prevent people from stealing nicely written ema.

Very nice roofs.

The big gate leading up to Yomeimon (on the right in the background).

For you to cleanse yourself before entering the shrine.

One of the national treasures, Yomeimon (陽明門, ようめいもん). Lots of intricate carvings on this gate. Workmanship is quite exquisite.

If you want to enter the shrine, remember to remove your shoes.

Another nice wood carving.

Yomeimon up close. Can you see the different carvings?

I like the way the eyes are different.

Whisky in a Shinto shrine seems pretty out of place doesn’t it.

That’s what I’m talking about. Sake. Lots of sake!

I wonder if the roof is made to look like wings. It sure looks like it’s ready to fly! The architecture back then is a thing of beauty.

Kinda reminds me of the Lion King.

Dragons. This place seems to have quite the chinese influence.

More pics in part 2!