Nikko Toshogu Shrine (日光東照宮) is a Shinto hallowed place in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. It is a piece of the “Sanctums and Temples of Nikko,” an UNESCO World Heritage.
Toshogu is committed to and reveres Tokugawa Ieyasu ( 徳川家康), the author of the Tokugawa Government and the main Tokugawa Shogun. After his demise, his child the second Shogun Hidetada, and his grandson the third Shogun Iemitsu fabricated this hallowed place in 1617.
A large portion of the holy place and it ‘s structures are protected in their unique structure and a considerable lot of them are assigned as National Treasures of Japan.
Travel Guide for Nikko Toshogu Shrine: Five structures at Toshogu are arranged as National Treasures of Japan, and three more as Important Cultural Properties.
A large portion of the altars and sanctuaries were worked between 1617 to 1636 inside of 20 years after the passing of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Toshogu Shrine not just reveres Tokugawa Ieyasu, his grave was likewise moved here.
The altar is in concordance with the encompassing nature and there are numerous notable structures. Streets and stone steps, dividers and towers are deliberately planned and their position required extraordinary consideration.
Numerous places of worship and structures, similar to the immense doors, have nitty gritty and mind boggling carvings with splendid hues. Other than being extraordinary centerpieces, they additionally have demonstrate an awesome articulation of verifiable, religious and otherworldly cognizance.
Ishidorii (石鳥居)
Stone entryway – Built in 1618 by Kuroda Nagamasa. Every one of the stones were hand trucked from Kyushu.
Goju no To (五重塔)
Five storied pagoda – Built in 1648 by Sakai Tadakatsu, and recreated in 1818.
Omote Mon (表門)
Passage door – it is likewise called Nio mon entryway in view of the two Nio statues at either side.
Sanjinko (三神庫)
Three hallowed storage facilities – here are put away numerous weapons, vital religious frill, works of art, and garments for the celebration of this Toshogu in Spring and Autumn.
Shinkyusha and Sanzaru (神厩舎・三猿)
Holy stables and the well known Three Wise Monkeys (san’en) – here is put away a consecrated truck for the matsuri (celebration). On the divider are the carvings speaking to the Three Wise Monkeys which are popular the world over. Mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru – “don’t see underhanded, don’t hear insidious, don’t talk abhorrent” which originates from the teachings of Buddhism and alludes to the right musings, discourse and activities of man.
Omizuya (御水舎)
Custom hand washing place – worked in 1618 by Nabeshima Katsushige.
Yomei mon (陽明門)
Principle entryway – National Treasure of Japan otherwise called Higurashi no mon or the Sunset door, since individuals spend a whole day watching this extraordinary craftsmanship. There are more than 500 carvings. It was named after the primary entryway of the Imperial royal residence in Kyoto.
Kairo (廻廊)
The dividers of Yomeimon – National Treasures of Japan. There are numerous cutting including the greatest phoenix cutting in Japan. The majority of the carvings were cut on one single plate of wood which required high cutting system called “sukashi bori.”
Karamon (唐門)
The door of the fundamental place of worship – National Treasure of Japan. It is all painted white, and has numerous brightly painted carvings.
Gohonsha (御本社)
Fundamental hallowed place – National Treasure of Japan. The most essential spot in Nikko Toshogu. There is a hallowed room, stone room, and love room. Numerous vital religious functions are held in here.
Shinyosha (神輿舎)
Omikoshi capacity – there are three Omikoshi for the Shinto matsuri (celebrations). One for Minamoto no Yoritomo, one for Toyotomin Hideyoshi and one for Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Kitoden (祈祷殿)
Custom altar – weddings and Miyamairi (the conventional Shinto transitional experience for new-borns) occur here.
Nemuri neko (眠り猫)
Dozing feline – National Treasure of Japan. Cut by Hidari Jingoro. It is an itemized and sensible cutting of a feline dozing under the sun. Nikko’s kanji abstract signifies “sun” and “light.” So, this feline has turned into the image of Nikko.
Okunomiya (奥宮)
Covered up or mystery holy place – this is the internal most holy place for offering one’s regards to Tokugawa Ieyasu. There is the Inuki mon entryway and tower. The zone holds the reliquary of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Amid the Edo period (1603 to 1868), just Shogun were permitted to adore.
Access
Go to JR Nikko Station then use Local bus to Nikko Toshogu.
Map
