 Shichi Fukujin (Seven Gods of Good Fortune) at Daishō-in Temple from left to right: Ebisu, Daikoku, Bishamon, Benten (the only female), Jurōjin, Fukurokuju, Hotei |
From "My Travelogue Manga of Japan (Sans Drawings)," by K. Avila, Sequential Tart, May 2006, 1 April 2006 entry: "I take a JR boat to Miyajima Island. Mt. Mizen is my Mt. Fuji on this trip. I meet a guy from Switzerland, then a German couple who are on their way down. I am passed by a couple of German guys on the way up. A French couple passes me. I am not in the best shape for this. On the way down, I meet two girls from Pennsylvania who are teaching English in Japan. By 3 p.m., the tide has gone out and tourists are walking across wet sand and seaweed to take pictures up close of the famous torii (shrine gate). Families are digging for clams." Links Hatsukaichi City, Miyajima Tourist Office. http://www.miyajima-wch.jp/en/nature1.html Hiroshima Prefecture: World Heritage, Itsukushima Shrine. Photos and map. http://www.pref.hiroshima.lg.jp/hiroshima/bunka/htmleng/elegacy4.htm Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), Itsuku-shima-jinja Shrine. http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/hiroshima/itsukushimajinja.html "Miyajima, an Island where People and Gods Live Together." Official Website of Miyajima Tourism. Island map, videos, and photos. http://www.miyajima-wch.jp/index_e.html UNESCO World Heritage site—Itsukushima Shinto Shrine. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/776 |
| Ō-torii (Grand Shrine Gate): The gate with shrine buildings and Mt. Mizen behind it is one of the "Three Most Scenic Views of Japan" (Nihon Sankei), the other two views being Matsushima Bay and Ama-no-hashidate. | ||||
 JR ferry departure from Miyajima-guchi |
 approaching the island |
  floating camphorwood* Ō-torii *In Japan and China, sacred items were made from camphorwood. |
 deer at Miyajima Pier |
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| Itsukushima Jinja (Shintō Shrine): First mentioned in 811 A.D., the main shrine has been damaged twice by fire (early 1200s) and once by typhoon (1325). | ||||
 walkway from pier to shrine |
 stone torii |
 Itsukushima Shrine in the background |
 gojunoto (5-story pagoda) |
 Shintō priests and tourists |
 close-up of previous photo |
 people exiting from shrine |
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 pine and Ō-torii |
 deer and Ō-torii |
 deer and pagoda |
 5-story pagoda and shrine |
 close-up of previous photo |
 Taho-to on a nearby hill |
 weird tree along path |
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| Daishō-in Temple: A major temple of the Shingon Buddhist sect. Emperor Meiji once stayed here in 1885. | ||||
  Niomon temple gate. Nio (Deva kings) stand guard at the entry. The red Deva's mouth is open while the green Deva's mouth is closed, representing universal principles. |
 There is a water basin with long-handled dippers. |
 stairs (ugh!) |
 The statues are all smiling, as if they know how much further you have to go. |
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  In the middle of the night on the mountain, the mysterious striking of wooden clappers is blamed on the tengu (pictured). |
 temple roof carvings |
  Jūni-shi zodiac with each year represented: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, boar. |
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  Henshokutsu Cave is behind them. Within the eerie cave are 88 statues, each representing a temple on a pilgrimage route in the island region of Shikoku. |
 outdoor altar with ema votive picture tablets |
  Outdoor altar with wooden daruma votive tablets, on which worshippers have written their prayers. |
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 tanuki (shape-shifting raccoon dog, which resembles an American badger) |
 daruma (The good luck charm is linked to Bodhidharma, founder of Zen Buddhism.) |
 serene pond |
 temple bell |
 close-up of previous photo Looks like a townhall meeting beneath the bell. |
