Omi Shrine: Emperor Tenji’s Otsu Palace Site and the Spiritual Center of Competitive Karuta
Discover Ōmi Shrine, built on the 7th-century palace site of Emperor Tenji, a ruler who shaped early Japan and inspired classical poetry. Home of competitive karuta.
Emperor Tenmu and the Jinshin War: The Origins of the Shikinen Sengu at Ise Jingu
Emperor Tenmu (?-686, 天武天皇), the 40th emperor of Japan, ascended the throne after winning the Jinshin War, the largest civil conflict in ancient Japanese history. He established the Shikinen Sengu system, the ritual rebuilding of Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine), a tradition that has endured for over 1,300 years. After his death, his consort, Empress […]
Ise Jingu Shrine, Geku First and Then Naiku
Ise Jingu (Ise Grand Shrine), officially called Jingu, consists of 125 Shinto shrines. Crossing the Uji Bridge over the Isuzu River at the entrance of a main shrine, Kotaijingu (Naiku), you are in a sacred world where the deities dwell. As you walk the pea gravel approach along the giant cedar trees, you may feel […]
Takeda Shingen, the Strongest Warlord of Sengoku-era, Lost to Time
Discover the life of Takeda Shingen, the “Tiger of Kai”—his battles with Uesugi Kenshin, victory over Tokugawa Ieyasu, and why even Japan’s greatest strategist could not defeat time.
Kamikura Shrine: The Firefall of Mt.Kamikura Slope, a Down Dragon
Annually, on the 6th day of January, the New Year of the lunar calendar (February 6th), for over 1,800 years, the Oto-Matsuri takes place at night as a sacred festival of Kamikura Shrine. During this festival, around 2,000 men clad in white attire rush down the 538 steps from the summit to the base of […]
Dazaifu Tenmangu, Enshrines Sugawara Michizane as The God of Learning
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane (845-903, 菅原道真), a renowned scholar who supported the 59th Emperor Uda (867-931, 宇多天皇) as a ‘Monjo-hakase’ (a scholar of the highest rank), offering his extensive knowledge and insight during the emperor’s reign. The shrine is the head of the 12,000 Tenmangu shrines across Japan. Sugawara Michizane is revered as […]
Hakozakigu Shrine, Brings Victory and Good Luck
Hakozakigu Shrine in Fukuoka prefecture, Brings Victory and Good Luck
Kashima Jingu Shrine Enshrines the Diety of War, Takemikazuchi
Kashima Jingu Shrine in Ibaraki prefecture Enshrines the Diety of War, Takemikazuchi
Nikko Toshogu Shrine – The Sacred Intersection Where Tokugawa Ieyasu Guards Japan Beyond Death
Discover why Nikko Toshogu Shrine was chosen as Tokugawa Ieyasu’s eternal stronghold—at the sacred crossroads linking Mount Fuji and Edo, guarding Japan beyond death.
Kasugataisha: A 1,300-Year-Old Sacred Shrine in Nara
Kasgataisha Shrine in Nara has a 1300-year-old history. Feeling the spituality from the sacred deer, mountains, and forests, the all are the divinity of Kasuga's God.