A wide graveled road under a huge torii (gate) and shaded by cedars leads into the shrine grounds.
There is an abandoned entrance to the JR Harajuku station. Just beyond is a small entrance used by the emperor when he visits by train. On the right is the Meiji Treasure House Annex. The annex holds changing exhibitions of the royal couples' artifacts, including clothes, lacquerware, and furniture. A left turn takes you under the massive, Otorii (big gate) built in 1975 of huge logs that came from a 1,500 year old Japanese cypress on Mount Tandai in Taiwan. A short distance beyond the gate, on the left is the entrance to the Meiji-jingu Gyoen Garden, a favorite of the Meiji imperial couple. It is said that the Emperor Meiji designed it himself for his Empress. : ) How sweet is that? Very. Inside there is a teahouse overlooking a pond stocked with water lilies and carp. To the right of the pond, a path leads to the beautiful Minami-ike Shobuda (iris garden), containing over 150 species.
The Meiji period was 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 traditions. Emperor Meiji led the way in promoting modernization by embracing many features of western culture in his personal life, such as shearing shearing his topknot (hair) 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 by enjoying wine with it.
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. Yasuhiko Sata. Profound gratitude is due to the winemakers who have so generously contributed to this precious gift to be consecrated here to the spirit of world peace with the earnest prayer that France and Japan will enjoy many more fruitful years of friendship. (or at least thats what the sign says)....Here are some pictures and close up of the cool designs on the barrels...
The most important Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Meiji Jingu (Imperial shrine) dates from 1920. The Emperor Meiji(who reigned 1868-1912) and his wife the Empress Shoken are enshrined here. A focal point for right-wing militarists during Japan's colonial expansion prior to World War II, the shrine was destroyed by Allied aerial bombardment in 1945 but rebuilt with private donations in 1958. Past the entrance to the garden, the road turns to the right and enters the main shrine area, set in the middle of a grove of cedars. Another wooden torii leads to the Minami Shinmon (outer gate) through which is a spacious outer courtyard. Gracefully curving the roof is in the Shinto style of architecture. Through a gateway is the Kaguraden a hall built in 1993 for sacred music and dance.
This picture does not do Meiji Shrine justice as the architecture and design is so painstakingly detailed. It was close to 5 o'clock when it was about to close so there were not too many people and it was nice to be there when it was not so crowded.
This is just an example of the intricate carving and detail on the beams and the lighting fixtures. It is quite beautiful.
It is typical to find the wooden prayer blocks outside temples. Here are a few of my favorites of the thousands of wooden blocks that hang outside Meiji Shrine, where one can donate and express gratitude or a message of hope on their block. I like how at the end of this one it said, "I also pray for me finding the one." I hope so too! : )
It was close to 5 o'clock and the shrine was closing so we were not able to walk around the grounds any further. We decided to walk over to Harajuku which is just across the street from the Meiji Shrine.
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