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Ise Grand Shrine (referred to as Ise-jingu or usually simply Jingu in Japanese) is Japan’s most essential Shinto shrine. It’s the principle location of worship for the highest deity within the Japanese pantheon, the solar goddess Amaterasu Omikami.
It additionally straight connects to the Imperial Household, with the emperor of Japan stated to be a descendent of the goddess. You possibly can be taught so much about Japanese tradition by visiting it in Mie Prefecture, as I not too long ago did.
Listed here are 5 issues that I realized about Japanese tradition whereas there.
1. A Love Of Nature
The view from Ise’s outer shrine (Geku). Photograph: Wikicommons/ Edomura tokuzo
Ise Shrine is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is the native faith of Japan. It’s animistic, that means the whole lot has a spirit: rocks, timber, rivers, mountains. Because of this, it’s additionally known as nature worship.
This may be seen at Ise Shrine. The shrine is definitely cut up into two essential websites, Geku (outer shrine) and Naiku (inside shrine). Naiku homes Amaterasu, whereas Geku is the place of worship for Toyouke Omikami. Along with the Toyouke Daijingu, Toyouke’s essential shrine, Ise’s Geku has smaller shrines for the gods of wind and earth the place you possibly can actually worship nature.
Each shrines are closely wooded, with giant and outdated timber reaching to the sky. The outer shrine is especially pretty. On the day I visited, I might hear the choruses of birds and frogs coming from shaded areas off the trail. Regardless of being in downtown Ise Metropolis, it felt like I used to be out in nature.
2. Praying Virtually
Lifetime fortunate luggage
Many individuals who come to Japan are shocked to be taught that almost all Japanese individuals don’t determine themselves as non secular regardless of usually visiting Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
For many individuals, Shinto and Buddhism are background parts of on a regular basis life and are extra of a cultural factor somewhat than a life-style in Japan. That is mirrored within the function Shinto performs in life. Whereas each individual is completely different, typically, Shinto is sensible, with individuals praying not usually however once they want one thing. You possibly can see this in omamori, the great luck charms that shrines promote.
Trying over the omamori at Ise Shrine, I seen ones for easy on a regular basis issues like passing checks, highway security and avoiding sickness. Whereas Ise affords most of the similar omamori as different shrines, the distinction is that they by no means expire. An omamori must be renewed yearly however at Ise, they’re good for a lifetime. Speak about sensible.
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