Meiji Jingu Shrine is not very old, it only dates from 1920s, and
is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, the one who gave the name to
the Meiji Restoration and holds responsibility for abolishion of
Shogunate and opening of Japan to the outside world, and his wife.
Despite its relatively young age it's one of the most venerated
shrines in Japan. It's also one of the simplest of the major shrines,
built of cypress wood with very few adornments.
Two torii that lead to the shrine are the largest two in Japan
and are much older than the shrine itself, they were built of cypress
more than 1,700 years ago.
Simplicity of the shrines architecture were very much in line
with my tastes but my main interest lay in the park that surrounded
the shrine and its inner garden. The park's pathways are nicely
lined with large trees, that must make the place quite pleasant
in the summer.
The garden should really be visited in the spring when its famous
irises are blooming. I was left with no flowers to admire and had
to settle for some likely poisonous mushrooms.
Practically to the exist I caught a bit of luck and captured probably
the only flower left in the garden.
Complete album:
Meiji Shrine |