Advancing beyond thistorii, I find myself in a sort of park or pleasure-ground on the summit of the hill. There is a small temple on the right; it is all closed up; and I have read so much about the disappointing vacuity of Shinto temples that I do not regret the absence of its ...
known for its breathtaking views and scenic boat tours. Whether you're interested in exploring the historic temples and shrines in the area or simply taking in the natural beauty of Matsushima, this hotel serves as the perfect base for your adventures. Overall,Hanagokoronoyu Shintomiteioffers a...
In contrast to the wonderful sculptures found at Buddhist temples, the ShintōHonden contains no statues of the Shintō deities, but it does house the sacred mirror, sword, and jewel — the main regalia of Shintō shrines, symbolic objects of worship in which the spirit of the deity is belie...
Buddhist temples are typically guarded by the Niō Protectors. The rooster’s exact significance, however, is unknown to me. Perhaps the rooster acts as the herald of sunrise, thus giving notice that the Kōshin threat has passed. Yet, in the Zodiac, the Hour of the Rooster is at sunset....
To add more confusion to this mixture, many temples have more than one name. The temple Onjō-ji near Lake Biwa is also called Mi-i-dera. Perhaps the "dera" form is the nickname form. In similar fashion, Jyō-ei-ji Temple in Kamakura is also called "Bota-mochi-dera," while Tōkei...
For reasons unknown to me, Shinto does not deal with death and funerals. In modern Japan, funerals and graveyards are handled by Buddhist temples. Nonetheless, Shinto asserts that all people are endowed with a spirit or a soul, called reikon, and when we die, we all become kami. Those wh...
The “crying sumo” is held at shrines and temples nationwide, to the delight of parents and onlookers. “The cries of babies are believed to drive out demons and protect the infants from troubles,” said priest Hiroyuki Negishi. The ceremony is believed to date back more than 400 years. ...
On a recent visit I was struck by a number of items in the vicinity. One was a sacred rock withomikujifortune strips but no explanation. Do Chan temples in China venerate rocks, I couldn’t help wondering? The rock lies near to a Tenmangu Shrine, standing outside the Zen compound but...
There are dozens of Buddhist temples & Shintō shrines near my home in Kamakura, many dating from the 8th to 13th centuries, many open to the public. There are 400+ deities herein, & 4,000+ photos of statuary from Kamakura, Nara, Kyoto, & elsewhere in Japan. Use the search box to ...
In 2005, scholar Duncan Williams published “The Other Side of Zen: A Social History of Soto Zen Buddhism in Tokugawa Japan.” Chapter Four of this book, entitled “The Cult of Doryo Daigongen: Daiyuzan and Soto Prayer Temples” forces us to overcome the traditional boundaries of Buddhist ...