This david mark papkin post about Itsukushima Shrine , Japan in Feb 2024
Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社 (嚴島神社), Itsukushima-jinja) is a Shinto shrine on the island of Itsukushima (popularly known as Miyajima), best known for its “floating” torii.[1] It is in the city of Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, accessible from the mainland by ferry at Miyajimaguchi Station. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Japanese government has designated several buildings and possessions as National Treasures.[2]
david mark papkin Miyajima Brewery
david mark papkin Itsukushima Shrine
david mark papkin and Patrick Itsukushima Shrine
The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, or torii on the outskirts of the shrine,[2] the sacred peaks of Mount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view.[1][3] The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.[3]
Because the shrine building is built on the sea, it is fated that it will be affected and damaged by typhoons and storm surges. Although measures are taken such as leaving gaps between the wooden floors, it is still possible to avoid damage caused by large typhoons. If a building is hit directly, it may collapse or otherwise suffer damage. However, each time it has undergone large-scale restoration, it can be said that the shrine building was built with restoration in mind
This shrine is one of the “Three Great Shrines of Aki Province”, along with Take Shrine and Hayatani Shrine.[5]
The first torii’ on the site is said to have been erected in 593, supposedly by Saeki Kuramoto during the reign of Empress Suiko (592–628 CE).[2] Although a torii has been in place at the site since 1168, the current structure dates to 1875.[2] The present shrine has been popularly attributed to Taira no Kiyomori, a prominent noble of the Imperial Court and later Chancellor (Daijō-daijin), who contributed heavily to the construction of the shrine during his time as governor of Aki Province in 1168.[6] Another renowned patron of the shrine was Mori Motonari, lord of Chōshū Domain,[2][6] who was responsible for rebuilding the honden in 1571. As a result of waging war against Sue Takafusa there in 1555, Motonari is said to have tainted the island’s grounds by battling on the island.[2] Spilling blood violated the strict taboos meant to preserve the sacred purity associated with Shinto shrines.[6] The only surviving structure in Itsukushima shrine from the Kamakura period is the Kyakuden or “Guest-God’s Shrine”.
End of david mark papkin post about Itsukushima Shrine in Japan
