Japanese Shinto, the country’s natural spirituality, has long history. However, the shrines are not always old. Some famous shrines were built after the Meiji era. Such examples include Meiji Shrine, which honors the Meiji Emperor, and Shoin Jinja (Shrine).
Shoin Shrine is in Setagaya-ward, western Tokyo. The shrine honors Yoshida Shoin, a spiritual leader of the Meiji Revolution. He was born in Choshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture and became a teacher when the country was in turmoil at the end of the Tokugawa era.
He was executed by the Tokugawa Government just before the Meiji Revolution. But his students carried out the Revolution and became the leaders of the Meiji Government. They included Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first prime minister, Yamagata Aritomo, powerful conservative politician who served several times as premier, and Takasugi Shinsaku, military leader of anti-Tokugawa Choshu local government.
Shoin is still respected by many people. I found a visitor who prayed at Shoin and his students’ tombs in very serious manner.
The copy of his school building “Shokason Juku” is in the shrine. The original is in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
I also visited the ruin of Setagaya Castle. The castle was built in the 15th century. Now the place is a park. There remain moats and mounds.
Shoin Shrine is in Setagaya-ward, western Tokyo. The shrine honors Yoshida Shoin, a spiritual leader of the Meiji Revolution. He was born in Choshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture and became a teacher when the country was in turmoil at the end of the Tokugawa era.
He was executed by the Tokugawa Government just before the Meiji Revolution. But his students carried out the Revolution and became the leaders of the Meiji Government. They included Ito Hirobumi, Japan’s first prime minister, Yamagata Aritomo, powerful conservative politician who served several times as premier, and Takasugi Shinsaku, military leader of anti-Tokugawa Choshu local government.Shoin is still respected by many people. I found a visitor who prayed at Shoin and his students’ tombs in very serious manner.
The copy of his school building “Shokason Juku” is in the shrine. The original is in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
I also visited the ruin of Setagaya Castle. The castle was built in the 15th century. Now the place is a park. There remain moats and mounds. 
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