TOGO JINJA

The Togo Shrine is dedicated to Admiral Togo Heihachiro (1848-1934) who destroyed the Russian Baltic Fleet in 1905 at the Battle of Tsushima. You can visit Admiral's battelship, called "Mikasa", in Yokosuka. The Shrine, built in 1940, is located in the fashionable area of Omotesando, at the intersection of the Takeshita Street and the Meiji Avenue (station : Harajuku). In 2009, Shinto shrines celebrate the 20th year of actual the Emperor's era. The miror of the above picture represents one of the 3 Imperial Regalia (the miror, the sword and the jewel).

Camera : Canon EOS40D

TAIRA NO MASAKADO

Taira no Masakado is a famous samurai (warrior) of the Heian period (794-1185) who led insurgent forces against the central government. When he claimed to be the New Emperor in 940, the Kyoto central government put a bounty on his head and he was defeated at the battle of Kojima. His decapitated head was brought to the Emperor and displayed in the capital. The head "finally find its way" to a small fishing village called Shibasaki, located in the actual Tokyo, where it was buried. The grave is refered to as "Kubizuka", is located in the Tokyo actual financial district of Otemachi, just in front of the Mitsubishi UFJ bank. The grave is still worshipped by Tokyo habitants and it is said disasters and misforunes occur when the Kubizuka is neglected. The grave is located on one of the most expensive land worldwide...


Camera : Canon EOS40D

MIKOSHI

A Mikoshi is a portable Shinto shrine and looks like a shrine building with its roof, walls and engawa. It is fixed to poles in order to be carried. During festivals (Matsuri), Shinto followers (and turists simetimes) bear the Mikoshi on their shoulders and carry it all around the neighborhoods that worship the shrine. In some Matsuri, the Mikoshi is bring to a river or in the sea. The idea is that something divine comes down to stay in the Mikoshi, and carry it here and there aims at sending Its positive effects to people and houses of the neighborhood. Some of them are quite big and heavy so even if 15 or 20 strong young guys bear it, it is still heavy for each of them. It is a physically quite rude experience, especially if you are taller than the average... However, beeing in the action, in the mood, in the rythm really has something mysterious or mystic. It is said the first Mikoshi was used in 749 to transport Hachiman to the Todai-ji temple...


Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

SHINTO PURIFICATION

Clean or pure water is believed to purify both body and spirit. Shinto ascetic training called "misogi" includes activities such as staying without sleeping, breath control or standing under a waterfall (even in winter of course). When you enter a Shinto shrine, there is always a wooden tank of clean water available to purify hands and mouth. It might be a light version of a complete purification under waterfall. Before standing in front of Gods, you need to first purify your left hand, then your right hand, and finally your mounth. End the procedure by pouring water on your left hand once again and clean the dipper using the remaining water by holding it vertically. Then put the dipper back as it was before.




Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

LIONS IN JAPAN

Though there are no lion in Japan, it is interesting to find stone statues of them at the entrance of any Shinto shrine. One lion open his mouth while the other keep it shut. It is said they pronunce the two sounds "A" and "M", each of them reflecting the beginning and the end of the universe.

Camera : Canon EOS40D

SANNO HIEI SHRINE

View on the Sanno Hiei Shrine's Torii with the Sanno Park Tower at its back. This pic was shot in the center of Tokyo, 200 meters from the Prime Minister's official residence.

Camera : Pentax Optio MX-4

IN-BETWEEN WORLDS

It is said Torii mark the invisible but real frontier between human and God worlds. You can find Torii at the entrance of any Shinto Temple. Believe it or not, but things are different depending on which side of the Torii you are standing...


Camera : Canon EOS40D