2009-09-17

Meiji Shrine 2009.9.13


Most Japanese people are influenced by Shintoism even though it is not clearly recognized by themselves. Nature worship lies at the center of Shintoism. Ancient Japanese saw the spirits of their ancestors in the mountains and deep forests and this worship developed into Shitoism.

The best place to share this feeling in central Tokyo is Meiji Shrine. It is relatively new (built in 1920), but is the largest and is the only shrine with deep woods in central Tokyo.

The paved road turns to a gravel path when you walk in the shrine through a big entrance gate (torii). Then, you may feel that you are in the different world. Twenty meter-high cedar trees block the sunshine. Only the footsteps and birdsongs are heard.

Around ten-minutes walk lead me to the main building. There were many small tablets hung on the walls near the building. Some visitors write their wishes in various languages in the tablets. The wishes include: the happiness of their families, promotions in their businesses, big money (without any efforts), and the world peace.

The shrine was build to commemorate the Meiji Emperor and Empress. There are more than 80 thousand shrines in Japan and some of them have more than 1000 years history.

There is a open place in front of the shrine. Famous cosplay girls attracted tourists. Foreign tourists were busy in taking pictures of them (and with them).

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