kenleewrites in 日本

If you missed part 1, it’s here. On to part 2!

This is another national treasure. The sleeping cat (眠り猫 nemuri neko). Sculpted by Hidari Jingoro, I think it’s supposed to symbolize Tokugawa Ieyasu since this sculpture rests on top of the entrance gate to his graveyard compound.

Right at the end of this long passage is a long flight of steps upwards.

This has got to be my favourite ema. I hope his wish comes true ^^.

This is the gate leading to Ieyasu’s grave. We can’t enter… but we can walk around it.

The grave from the other end. Anyone think there’s gold in there with him? ^^.

There’s this 600 year old tree next to the grave. I think it was struck by lightning. The insides are almost hollowed out.

Talk about choice ^^.

Steps leading up to the grave taken on the way down. Priests-in-training have to run up and down the stairs (just kidding). But they were running up when I took this photo!

That’s the entrance to the gravesite taken on the way down. That’s also where the sleeping cat (眠り猫) is.

Lots of nice cravings around the shrine.

I still don’t know what to call this “lamppost”. This one had vegetation on growing on it!

He looks hungry doesn’t he?

Other buildings within the shrine compounds.

I like this scene. It’s like they are walking through a stargate!

This leads to another shrine. I think it was the Futarasan Shrine. Didn’t manage to go there this time around. Let me know if you’ve been there.

I like this shot too! Had to wait a little while for them, but it turned out alright.

Well, that’s it for the Toshogu post. Hope you enjoyed the photos!