...In shinto ,some divinity is found as "KAMI"(divine spirit),or it may be said that there is an unlimited number of KAMI.You can see kami in mythology,in nature,and in human beings.From ancient times,Japanese people have felt awe and gratitude towards such kami and dedicated shrines of many of them.
...This shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken(their tombs are in KYOTO.)
...Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914.After their demise,people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever.So they donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas,and they work voluntarily to create this forest.Thus,thanks to the sincere heart of the people,this shrine was established on November 1,1920.
Here are some images of the shrine:
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| "Provenance of the Bourgogne Wine for Consecration at Meiji Jingu" ...The Meiji period an enlightened period during which a policy of "Japanese Spirit and Western Knowledge" was adopted,to learn from the best of Western Culture and civilization while keeping Japan's Age-Old spirit and revered tradition. ...Emperor Meiji led the way in promoting modernization by embracing many features of Western Culture in his personal life,such as shearing his topknot and donning western attire and in many other aspects of daily living. Among these departures,His Majesty set an example by taking western food and in particular enjoying wine with it... |
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| Provenance of the Bourgogne Wine for Consecration at Meiji Jingu ...The barrels of wine to be consecrated at Meiji Jingu have been offered by the celebrated wineries of Bourgogne in France on the initiative of MR.YASUHIKU,SATA,representative "House of Burgundy" in Tokyo. Honorary Citizen of Bourgogne and owner of the Chateau de Chailly Hotel Golf. Profound gratitude is due to the wine makers who have so generously contributed to this precious gift to be consecrated here to the spirit of World Peace and Amity, with the earnest prayer that France and Japan will enjoy many more fruitful years of friendship... |
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| "The Grand Shrine Gate" ...This is the biggest wooden "TORII" of the "XYOJIN" style in Japan. Rebuilt and dedicated by a PIOUS benefactor on December 23,1975 and modeled both in form and size exactly after the original built in 1920. The material wood used is "HINOKI"(japan cypress) 1,500 years old from Mt. Tandai-san,Taiwan. Heights: 12 meter Diameter of each piller: 1.2 meter Length of crosspiece: 17 meter Length of under crosspiece: 15.5 meter |
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| "The 2nd Shrine Gates" ...many people visited the shrine after the divine spirits settled at "HONDEN"(the innermost sanctuary) and the ritual had been perform. |
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| "Temizuya" (Ritual Cleansing of Hands and Mouth) ①Rinse your left and right hands. ②Pour water in your left hands and rinse your mouth. ③Then, rinse your left hand,and rinse the dipper. ...This is the three steps or action that express respect and are independent of religious beliefs... |
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| Temizuya (font) ...you must do first the ritual of hands and mouth before you entered the the 2nd Shrine Gate going through the main shrine building. |
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| The Main Shrine Building |
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| The Main Entrance of Meiji Jingu ...this photo taken inside the main building... |
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| "At the Main Shrine Building" ...The four steps of how to pay respect of Meiji Jingu... ① You may put some coins into offertory box. ② Bow twice. ③ Claps your hands twice. ④ Bow once again. |
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| おみくじ ...A voted tablets for special personal prayer and gratitude toward the deities enshrined in Meiji Jingu Shrine are offered for 500yen a piece. You can hung around the Divine Tree with your wishes written on the reverse side,These EMA are offered at MIKESAI. The morning ceremony held everyday,and your supplications are conveyed by the Priest... |
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| Meiji Jingu Main Building |
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| 二本の楠 この楠は大正九年の御鎮座当時に献木され、御祭神の御加護のもと樹勢瑞々しき大樹に育った御神木であります。両神木は「夫婦楠」として親しまれ縁結び、夫婦円満、家内安全の象徴となっております。御参拝の皆様方には、この御神木を通して御神祭のお恵みをお受け下さい。 |
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| 結納 "Meiji's Memorial Hall" ...The Meiji's constitutions was drafted in this building,SHINTO 's Wedding are performed here... |
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| " Amulet Office " |
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| 鳥居 ( shrine gate) ...from the East Side of the shrine... |
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| ...another photos of a shrine gates towards Yoyogi Station... |
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| 鳥居 Meiji Jingu |
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| ...NTT through Meiji Trees... |
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| ...towards Yoyogi Station... |
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| ...an open space at Meiji Jingu... |
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| ...another photos of an Shrine Gates from west side... |
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| ...towards Sangubashi... |
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| ...from the left,it will leads you to Treasure Museum. ...from the right,it's leads you the main building of Meiji Jingu. |
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| "Shiseikan Dojo" ( Martial Arts Training Hall ) |
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| An open space,in front of treasure museum... |
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| "Meiji Jingu Treasure Museum" ...The treasure House is completed in October,1921. The strong and graceful concrete building with granite finish is on the Azekura type,Ohyuka style,and copied the Shosoin in Nara. The construction is very interesting from the architectural viewpoint.... |
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| Meiji Jingu Treasure Museum ...In the building, about 100 items used by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are exhibited. From the display we can get a glimpse of the modest and nardworking life,as well as the great achievements of the Imperial Couple.Some of the major items on display are ; A desk used by Emperor Meiji in his study, an Imperial carriage used on the occasion of the Promulgation of the Constitution garments of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. And WAKA poems written by the Imperial Couple,etc.etc... |
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| ...I've got some photos around Treasure Museum... (^-^) |
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| Point of view from treasure museum |
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| ...the sweet couple duck... |
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| " Entrance Gate of Meiji Jingu Garden " ...A garden is originally a part of compounds of a Daimyo Yashiki (a feudal lords mansion) owned by the Iis. Since the beginning of the Meiji Era (1868) It became the Imperial State in was put improvements into by the order of his Majesty the Emperor Meiji,Her Majesty Empress Shoken as well as his majesty frequented this historic place. It spread 83,000 square meters with the reminiscences of Musashino fields, In it there are spots of interest such as Kakuuntei (a tea house), Otsuredai ( a fishing platform), Azumaya (a resting house) ,Minamiiki (a pond), Shobuda (an iris field) and Kiyomasai ido (a well),each of which never fail to attract you through the year whenever you visit,especially at the changes of the four season. Among the glamorous groups of flower, Irises in June is the best to observe,which the late Her Majesty cherished a deep affection for... |
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| KAKUUN-TEI ( tea house) ...The former building of Kakuun-tei was built by the order of His Majesty the Emperor Meiji for Her Majesty the Empress Shoken in 1900... |
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| KAKUUN-TEI ...As the building was burnt down the war damage, So in Autumn of 1958 the present building was reconstructed... |
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| ...At the backyard... |
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| OTSURI-DAI ( fishing spot) ...This spot was built by the order of His Majesty the Emperor Meiji in the Meiji Era (1868~) Her Majesty the Empress Shoken frequently enjoyed fishing at the spot... |
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| "OTSURI-DAI "(...a fish pond...) |
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| 鯉 ...it's hard for me to take this photo,it's almost an hour,maybe... だって...........泳ぐからよ～～! |
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| Nan-Chi (south pond) ...Is the pond ( the source of which is the Kiyomasa-Ido spring) with an area of about 8,000 square meters . |
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| Nan-Chi ...the scenery of pond in summer is the best to observe and in winter people can see a paradise of water fowls... |
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| Shobuda...It's an Iris field, ( sorry the flowers are not bloom in this season) |
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| I've take some photos of a Red Maple Tree |
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| Red maple Tree |
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| KIYOMASA-IDO |
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| KIYOMASA-IDO (well ) ...Kiyomasa-Ido Well was first belonged to lord Kiyomasa Kato during Ido period. ...This well is the fountain head of Nan-Chi (south pond) and the pure water gushes out in steady flow all the year round. This well is the famous for the ingenious way of sinking and the superiority of waters quality... |
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| ...its 12:05 at noon,and I'm hungry... |
Facts About Meiji Jingu:
Deities Enshrined : Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken
Date Establishment : 1st November 1920
Annual Festival : 3rd of November (Birthday of Emperor Meiji)
History : Emperor Meiji passed away on 30th of July 1912
Meiji Jingu a shrine of national prayer for peace and prosperity
was built as a result of combined efforts of all the Japanese to commemorate
his virtue. The Shrine Building was lost by fire during the last war,but was
reconstructed in 1958,being supported by all loyal Japanese.
The feeling of reverence and yearning of the people for the Emperor and
Empress are ever increasing.
Precincts : The Inner Garden... 173 acres (Yoyogikamizonocho,Shibuya-ku,Tokyo)
: The Outer Garden...74 acres (Kasumigaoka,Shinjuku-ku)
(Motoakasaka,Minato-ku,Tokyo)
Treasure Museum : Various article used by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are displayed and
help remind the visitors of their virtues.
Bunkakan : In order to spread the culture and the heart of Meiiji Era in the present age,
treasured are displayed and there are the Restaurant and free resting place for
worshippers.
Meiji Jingu Garden: Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken were very fond of this Garden,Irises in June
are especially beautiful.
The Outer Garden : This was donated by the populace to Meiji Jingu in 1926.
There are Emperor Meiji's funeral site ,Meiji Memorial Art Gallery,Great
Stadium,Tennis Court, etc...and it is internationally known as the sports
center of Japan.
Meiji Memorial Hall : The Meiji Constitution was drafted in this building , Shinto Wedding are
performed here.
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