Home » Estonia » The Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo is one of the largest Shinto shrines in the land of the rising sun. Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo is one of the largest Shinto shrines in the land of the rising sun. Temple complex "Serebryany Bor"

The Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo is one of the largest Shinto shrines in the land of the rising sun. Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo is one of the largest Shinto shrines in the land of the rising sun. Temple complex "Serebryany Bor"

Tokyo's Yoyogi Park is home to Tokyo's most popular Shinto shrine, Meiji Jingu. The history of the existence of this Shinto shrine is relatively short; it is 90 years old this year, an “infant” age for the temple. The decision to create this shrine in the capital of Japan was made shortly after the death of Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and his wife, Empress Shoken (1850–1914). The years of reign of this imperial couple fell on the difficult years of the country's formation after the liquidation of the medieval system of military rule (shogunate) in 1868. In the shortest historical time, the country has managed to get rid of medieval remnants and adopt the positive experience of developed countries, both in the economic and social spheres. The people of Japan largely associated these changes with the efforts of Emperor Meiji. Therefore, the enthusiasm with which ordinary Japanese greeted the decision to create the Meiji Jingu Shrine in the capital is understandable. Emperor Meiji was buried in Kyoto, but the new shrine, in accordance with Shinto traditions, was intended to house the spirits of the imperial couple. The former estate of Ii became the property of the imperial house. Both Emperor Meiji himself and his wife visited here more than once. A tea house was built for them on the shore of the pond, a platform for fishing. The Inner Garden housed the main temple building and the treasure repository (personal belongings of the Meiji imperial couple). The sanctuary is built from Japanese cypress wood, which is resistant to moisture. That's why they didn't even paint the walls. The roof of the temple is covered with copper sheets. Having acquired a green patina over time when exposed to air, they helped the sanctuary blend seamlessly into the greenery of the surrounding park. As is typical for any Shinto shrine, the shrine can only be accessed through the sacred torii gate. To build the Meiji Jingu Gate, trunks of huge 1,500-year-old cypress trees that grew on Mount Ari were brought from Taiwan (at that time it was part of the Japanese Empire). These trunks were almost 4 m in girth. The largest gates in the country, 12 m high, were erected from them, separating the inner, sacred zone of the sanctuary from the outer, secular one. And on the territory of Gaien, a Memorial Art Gallery was erected, which houses 80 paintings depicting the stages of the life of Emperor Meiji, the Memorial Hall, now used for wedding ceremonies according to the Shinto rite, and the National Stadium. No matter how large the construction work was, the main efforts had to be spent on creating the temple park. A real forest of 120 thousand trees grew around the temple on 8.3 hectares of land. Since seedlings were sent in a variety of varieties and varieties, the surroundings of Meiji Jingu began to somewhat resemble a botanical garden with great selection national flora. The construction of the sanctuary was completed in 1920, and a few years later it was surrounded by green bushes with cozy paths, revealing to the leisurely pedestrian almost at every step more and more new views, often reflected in the mirrors of lakes. Surprisingly, Meiji Jingu is visited daily by thousands of believers, pilgrims, and tourists, but in the park surrounding it you can always find solitude and peace, which is not disturbed even by the sounds of the surrounding metropolis, which are unable to break through the dense foliage. According to the season, the park is decorated with flower meadows - azaleas, irises, roses, water lilies, and wisteria. The history of the Meiji Jingu is short, but this did not save the temple from turmoil. In the last year of World War II, American firebombs destroyed the sanctuary. Only in November 1958, through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the temple and park were restored. This required a huge sum for those times - 600 million yen ($1.67 million), which was collected by subscription. The shrine is not only a tribute to Emperor Meiji. Thousands of people come here with their prayers. It is enough to buy a wooden ema sign for 500 yen, write a wish on its back, hang the sign on any tree branch or bush (all plants in Gaien and Naien are considered sacred), and the prayer is guaranteed to reach the divine

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is the tomb of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken, the largest Shinto shrine, which appeared in 1920 as a public initiative. It is located in the Shibuya area, in the Yoyogi City Park.

During the reign of Meiji, who became emperor in 1868, Japan, after the feudal rule of the Tokugawa, abandoned its isolation and became a more open state to the outside world. The name "Meiji", which Emperor Mutsuhito took upon his accession to the throne, means "enlightened rule". In his “Oath Promise,” Mutsuhito declared the principles of his rule: democracy (taking public opinion into account when deciding public affairs), the predominance of national interests, freedom of action and independence of the court, as well as the effective use of knowledge to strengthen Japan’s role in the world. After the death of the emperor and his wife in 1912 and 1914, as a sign of respect for the imperial couple, a public movement arose in the country to create a temple, and the necessary donations were collected. During World War II, the temple burned down; its reconstruction was also supported by many Japanese in the country and abroad. The temple was restored in 1958.

The shrine building is a characteristic example of the unique temple architecture of Japan; cypress, growing in Kiso, was used in its construction. mountain range in the central part of the island of Honshu, the so-called Japanese Alps. The building is surrounded by a garden in which all the trees and shrubs that are found in the Land of the Rising Sun grow. Many Japanese people also donated plants for him. In the northern part of the temple complex there is a treasury museum, which houses things and objects from the Meiji reign.

The Outer Garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine is also a venue for sports competitions. The memorial's Picture Gallery is located here, which contains 80 frescoes depicting events from the life of the imperial couple. The Outer Garden also houses the Meiji Memorial (Wedding) Hall, where wedding ceremonies in the Shinto tradition continue to be held.

Visitors to the Meiji Shrine can receive an omikuji, a piece of paper with a fortune. English. The text of the prediction is a poem composed by the emperor himself or his wife, which is accompanied by the chanting of a Shinto priest.

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Meiji Shrine, located in the Shibuya district, in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, is the largest Shinto shrine in the metropolis. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, known as Mutsuhito, and Empress Shoken, who ruled the state in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The idea of creating a monastery was born after the death of the imperial couple and in 1920 it was brought to life. However, the building did not last long and during the Second World War it became a victim of numerous bombings. At the end of hostilities, the temple was restored and has been welcoming visitors again since 1958. Nowadays, the building enjoys great attention among believers and is considered a religious symbol of the capital of Japan.

The territory of the Meiji Shrine covers an area of more than 700 thousand square meters, and the trees and shrubs surrounding the temple harmoniously complement its appearance, embodying the traditions of Japanese temple architecture. Particularly noteworthy is the picturesque Inner Garden, which displays many varieties of plants growing in the country rising sun. Thousands of Japanese took part in its formation, donating their own bushes and trees for the benefit of the monastery. Just over a kilometer away is the Meiji Jingu Outer Garden, known as a center for sports competitions. At the end of the alley, lined with ginkgo trees, is the Meiji Memorial Art Gallery, containing several dozen large murals depicting events in the life of the Emperor and Empress. In another corner of the Outer Garden is the Meiji Memorial Hall. Lavish Shinto wedding ceremonies are still held there to this day.

The territory of the monastery is surrounded by a carved fence, and you can get inside through an impressive wooden gate, considered the largest in the country, made of wood. Directly behind the temple is the Meiji Treasury, containing personal belongings of the imperial couple and unique works of art that decorated the interior. It fits perfectly with the Nagarezukuri architectural style, which features the main building, a small pond with white water lilies, so beloved by the wife of Emperor Mutsuhito.

At the moment, Meiji Shrine is very popular not only among foreign tourists, but is also highly revered by the Japanese themselves, who often come here from different parts of the country to pay tribute to the memory of the great emperor, undergo a wedding ceremony, or introduce their children to the history of the state. The monastery fits perfectly into the landscapes of the Shibuya area and is rightfully one of the main religious attractions

Meji Jingu is the most significant, largest and most popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo. The Japanese come here to ask for the blessings of the gods in various life endeavors, be it a wedding, the birth of a child, business projects, or simply passing an important exam at school or university.

The souls of Emperor Meiji, who during his lifetime bore the name Mutsuhito, and his wife Empress Shoken “live” in this sanctuary.

Emperor Mutsuhito reigned in Japan from 1868-1912. History says that the country has never known such a powerful leap in development as during this period, when Japan from a feudal backward state turned into one of the leading world powers. Mutsuhito was the natural son of Emperor Komei, and inherited the throne from his father at the age of 15. With his accession to the throne, a new era began, called Meiji - “enlightened rule”.

They say that kings do not belong to themselves, for they belong to the entire country and history, and therefore, with all their apparent power, they often turn out to be deeply unhappy people, deprived of the right to act in accordance with their convictions. Oddly enough, but one of the most revered emperors in Japan, declared an absolute monarch; "great reformer"; the first ruler who warmly accepted Western civilization and radically changed the face of the country, as a person was deeply alien to all the changes that were happening in his name.

As the supreme ruler, he was present at all meetings, but never took part in discussions; he was almost always silent and only signed decrees that were written on behalf of the emperor. Anyone who watched the film “The Last Samurai” probably remembers the modest, silent young man - the Emperor of Japan during the Meiji reign.

The largest wooden torii in the country leads to the shrine. Sake barrels are an offering to the temple.

He was an outspoken conservative and deeply revered the traditions that had developed at court over many centuries, but it was his signature that appeared on documents that broke the centuries-old foundations of Japanese society.

Not wanting to deviate from the path of his predecessors even in small things, he was nevertheless forced to wear alien and uncomfortable clothes - all these frock coats and uniforms, sewn according to Western patterns. For the nation, he remained a living deity, whom mere mortals were forbidden to touch, so all the suits fit him baggy: the tailor could only take measurements from a distance, and sewed trousers and jackets “by eye.”

Just like his divine ancestors, in addition to his legal wife, he had a harem of concubines, but at social events he was forced to appear with his wife and portray a happy Western-style married couple. Once he was even forced to walk with her in public, arm in arm, which was completely unacceptable according to old Japanese etiquette. It was on the anniversary of the “silver” wedding. They say that Mutsuhito was forced to give in, but after walking a few steps, he could not stand such shame and ran far away from the shame.

The South Gate is located opposite the main pavilion

At his core, a peaceful person, but it was under Mutsuhito that Japan fought with Korea, China, and then with Russia.

We cannot know how consciously Matsuhito played his role in turning the ship of Japanese history on a new course. It is known that Mutsuhito drank a lot, and not only traditional Japanese sake, but also Western wines that suited his taste. On the path leading to the Meiji Shrine, there are barrels of red Burgundy wines: this is how the Western world expressed its gratitude to the first “Westernized” emperor of Japan, whose spirit dwells in the temple.

It is also known that the emperor expressed his timid protest against the innovations of civilization by prohibiting the installation of electricity in his palace: until his death, the palace was illuminated only by candles. They say the “great reformer” was so far from civilization that at first he mistook a chamber pot for something that was placed under the head at night.

Be that as it may, Emperor Mutsuhito will forever remain in the memory of the grateful Japanese. 8 years after his death, a new shrine was built in 1920, called Meiji Jingu. The temple building was destroyed during the bombing of World War II: the Americans viewed Emperor Meiji as a symbol of militaristic Japan, and targeted bombs on this sanctuary. The restoration of the temple and the surrounding park was completed in October 1958. People from all over Japan brought trees and bushes here. As a result, 365 plant species have been collected on an area of more than 700,000 sq.m.

Temple sanctuary courtyard

In the guidebook, which can be freely taken when visiting the temple, we are taught to correctly express our respect to the royal spirits:

1. First of all, if you have serious intentions of receiving divine support, your appearance and clothing must match. The Japanese follow this clause only on special occasions, crowds local residents roam here with a noisy, cheerful din. Most of them are wearing jeans or even shorts. Cheerful, dressed-up young people often come here during Sunday costume parties taking place nearby.

2. Before entering the inner area, you must rinse your hands and mouth in the sacred fountain. This custom is characteristic of all Japanese temples: the rite of purification is the main action in Shintoism.

3. You go to the main building and, if you wish, you can give the gods a few coins by throwing them into a special box. They say that you should throw coins from afar so that they ring and the deities wake up from their sacred slumber, paying attention to you.

Sacred dancing during the annual festival

That's it, consider your mission accomplished: the gods have heard you. Isn’t it true, it’s hard to think of a simpler way to pray. To prevent the spirits from forgetting your request, you can contact them in writing using a special wooden “ema” sign. Such signs are hung here on boards installed around a luxurious tree. At the end of the year, these “petitions” will be burned on a sacred fire, and all requests will go to heaven to the gods along with the smoke.

People are also happy to buy amulets that provide protection and favor in various situations: you can buy an amulet against the evil eye, for family well-being, for the successful completion of childbirth, for successful studies, safe driving... in general, there would be a problem, but there will be an amulet .

One of the most popular types of fortune telling on the temple grounds is fortune telling based on the waka verses left to us by the emperor and his wife. Matsuhito created about 100 thousand creations during his life, the empress - 30 thousand. All of them are written as an edification to the living.

Here are some of them:

Moon