The island of Miyajima has been religiously revered
since ancient times, as an island where the gods stayed.
Miyajima has watched the generations come and go, and is plentiful
in historical landmarks and natural beauty.
The Itsukushima Shrine, which even now retains the graceful beauty
of when it was constructed in the Heian period, was designated in
1996 as a world heritage site.
The Sen-jo-kaku, which Hideyoshi Toyotomi erected in order to honor
warriors killed in battle. The natural forest of Mt. Misen, a natural
monument.
The Tsutsumigaura Nature Park, where you can enjoy untouched nature.
Why not take a nice slow walk around this beautiful Miyajima Island?
|
|
|
 Itsukushima
Shrine
Since long ago, people have felt an aura around the sights
of Miyajima, and the mountains, etc. are considered to be
religiously deities. The shrine pavilions are said to have
been built in the first year of the Suiko Emperor period (593).
As for Itsukushima Shrine, in 3rd year of the Jinan period
(1168), Taira no Kiyomori, then a man of political power ordered
the building of the foundations of the beautiful shrine pavilions
we can see today. The constructions of these shrine pavilions
are superior architectural designs which incorporate the culture
of the Heian period.
Also, the location on the water and the blending in with the
mountainous background is incomparable, and is an expression
of the superior achievements of Kiyomori and a representative
asset of the Heian era. As a facility of Shinto, a religion
which is rooted in Japanfs natural features, which expresses
the separation from and fusion with Buddhism, it is an important
foundation on which to understand Japanfs unique religious
atmosphere.
Otorii - Grand Gate (National
treasure and important national cultural asset
Itsukushima Shrinefs red Otorii is a tourist symbol
of Japan and known throughout the world. Its design is a typical
one, with four legs and made from the natural wood of the
Japanese cinnamon. In the Heian era it is known that there
were toriis, but it is unclear what design they had. The current
torii was 8 generations into the Heian era, with building
starting on October 17th of 7th year of Meiji period and being
completed in July of 8th year of Meiji period.
Honja/Honden - Main Sanctuary
(National treasure/Heian era)
Enshrined gods - Ichikishimahimenomikoto Tagorihimenomikoto
Tagitsuhimenomikoto
Ridge direction front 8 ken (14.5m), back 9 ken (16.4m), span
4 ken (7.3m). The main sanctuary, built in a style of single
layer with slopes both sides, the roof doesn’t have
what could be called the staple of Shinto shrines, Chigi and
Katsuogi, but instead employs the cosmetic ridgepole style
using roof tiles on Hikawabuki (cypress thatched) roof based
on the construction of Shinden (main hall), and this style
is the major characteristic. The current building was rebuilt
in 2nd year of the Genki period (1571) by Motonari Mori.
Broad Stage (National
treasure/Heian era)
Hanging out widely over the front of the main shrine, the
stagefs area is 167.6 tsubo, in front there is a place
sticking out called the Shitasaki, which is where the Kangensai
for welcoming/sending off the emperor is performed. It features
the brilliant contrast of the red Otorii and the blue water,
and the green mountains lining the opposite shore, making
one feel as if he is actually standing on the ocean. The supporting
stones holding this place up are said to be a dedication to
Motonari Mori, and the total number of stones including those
for Shitasaki is 239.
High Stage (National treasure/Heian
era)
A stage for dance and music, in the center of the Broad Stage.
Bridge railing front is 17 shaku 2 sun (5.2m), side is 21
shaku (6.4m) in Shin-shin scaling (core-to-core scaling)..
The current stage was made in Tenmon 15 (1546). In the Tenshou
period (1573~1591), when there was a court dance and music
to be done this stage’s framework was temporarily put
up in the middle of the Broad Stage, but after that, in the
Genwa years (1615~1623), a part of the Broad Stage was hollowed
out, and it was built into it like it currently is. It is
said to be the smallest of the court dance and music stages.
Noh Stage (National treasure/important
cultural asset/Edo period)
Ridge direction 1 ken (1.8m), span 1 ken (1.8m), 1 layer gable
structure, head front, Hikawabuki (cypress thatched) roof
Noh Stage is built on top of the ocean, therefore there is
no reverberation chamber under the stage as is usual with
Noh stages, so in order to make a good sound, the floor consists
of one plank. As the floorboards are placed on widely separated
joists (crossbar for receiving floorboard) and lined with
girders (board for receiving joist), the floor plays the role
of a kind of Japanese drums, making a large reverberation
whenever a foot is tapped. Also, this sound changes with the
rising and falling of the tide, making it a truly unique floating
stage in Japan.
http://www.hiroshima-cdas.or.jp/miyajima/jinja/jinja.htm
|
 |
 |
|
| |
Miyajima Traditional Crafts Center |
|
This was created as a place to house Miyajima’s traditional
crafts, with their 200 years of history, under one roof, and to
train successors. The exhibition room features the products of currently
active persons, and there are also rooms for training of successors.
Hours 8:30~17:00 (Closes at 17:30) Closed on Mondays
|
|
|
|
Remains of ancient Battle of Itsukushima
In the age of civil war, the General in Yoshida of "Battle
of Itsukushima", Motonari Mori created the castle, and called
up a great army of Tou, and there are remains of deva gates, and
stone walls and steps from that time.
|
|
|
|
A great sutra hall that was built under the command
of Tycoon Hideyoshi. As it remains incomplete, the ceiling still
contains magnificent beams sticking out, etc. Even adults can easily
fit under the floor, where there is a grulerh hanging which was
used in the creation of the red Otorii.
|
|
|
| |
Gojunoto (Five-Storied Pagoda) |
|
The corners of the 5 stories curving upward with
a Hikawabuki (cypress thatched) roof, it continues to watch over
Miyajima from the top of the hill along with the gSenjokakuh. This
hill is called gthe pagoda hillh, and was used by theTogun during
the Battle of Itsukushima to make camp.
|
|
|
| |
Itsukushima Jinja Homotsukan (Itsukushima Shrine Treasure
Hall) |
|
Itsukushima Shrine Treasure Hall, a collection
of over 3500 weapons, music and dance masks, tools, fine and industrial
arts, etc. The 33 volumes of the “Heikennoukyou”, which
were to pray for the prosperity of the Taira family including Kiyomori,
and were read one at a time, are designated national treasures.
|
|
|
|
Mount Koyafs Shingon Buddhist temple, Kameizan
Houkouin. The ancient temple, said to have been opened by Monk Ryokai,
was responsible for the repairing and maintenance of Itsukushima
Shrine. There are many important cultural artifacts and writings
left here. Also, the god of wealth is enshrined within, and it is
known as one of the three gods of wealth in Japan along with Enoshima
and Chikubujima During the Meiji period separation of Buddhism and
Shinto, Itsukushima Shrinefs Buddhist artifacts were transferred
to Daiganji. For that reason, the Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata and Nikurube
sitting statues and 5 other important cultural assets said to be
the work of Daishi Koubou are housed and displayed here.
|
|
|
|
In 29th year of Showa period (1954) after 770 years
of Kiyomori Shogun death, this shrine was created in order to display
the virtue of Kiyomori separately from the set of shrines worshipping
three lords.
|
|
|
|
Starting with the 300 cubic meter circular water
tank, there are also 50 other tanks of various sizes, and within
these is Miyajima Aquarium’s beloved mascot “finless
black porpoise”, along with 13,000 aquatic creatures of 350
types which represent aquatic life from Japan’s shores as
well as all the oceans and rivers of the world. Additionally there
are comical experiments with sea lion show and archerfish, and a
chance to meet with penguins available.
Hours 8:30~17:30 Closed 12/26~12/31
http://www.sunameri.jp/INDEX.ASPX
|
|
|
|
The Omoto Shrine building is older than Itsukushima
Shrine and is deemed an important cultural asset.
The three enshrined gods are Kunitokotachinomikoto, Oyamazuminokami,
Ukemochinokami.
A virgin forest of fir trees and Japanese cinnamon entwined with
wisteria are wonders to behold.
Also famous as the site of the Battle of Itsukushima.
|
|
|
|
Daisyoin is also the head temple of the Omuro sect
of Shingon Buddhism, and also one of Kansai’s most famous
temples.
Since long ago being a Emperor Toba’s imperial prayer dojo,
until the last visit by the Emperor in 8th year of Meiji period,
it has a long and fated history with the generations of the imperial
family, and is a home temple of Itsukushima which used to maintain
a 20-priest branch temple and holding separate festivals as a temple
attached to Itsukushima Shinto Shrine till the time of Meiji Restoration.
Before the relationship between Ninnaji and this temple as a head
temple and branch temple, there was a deep connection of having
bestowed such titles as Waki-monzeki (subordinating temple to legitimate
the temple), Ninnaji Temple Room, Itsukushima Omuro, etc. This temple
Ninnaji 20th generation Ninjoho-shinnou (Itsukushima Omuro) came
to live at this temple for dissemination of the teachings, but because
there was Daisyoin at the Ninnaji pagoda, it is thought that this
temple was especially selected for hereditary succession of the
teachings.
Also, this mountain’s main building was Emperor Toba’s
imperial prayer room, and Ninnaji 5th generation Kakushohosshinnou
is the fifth imperial child of Emperor Toba. The reason why this
temple was considered as a temple attached to Itsukushima Shinto
Shrine was described in “Ex-emperor Takakura’s Itsukushima
Gokouki” written by Tsuchimikado Lord Keeper of the Privy
Seal Minamoto Michichika which was the record regarding Ex-emperor
Takakura’s visit to the Shrine in March of 4th year of Chishou
period (1180). Today, Itsukushima Shinto Shrine’s Tamatori
longevity festival (July 18th on the old lunar calendar), which
has become a common custom, and New Years bonfire festivals were
started on this mountain, and it is the place of showing a close
relationship between Shinto and Buddhism.
http://www.galilei.ne.jp/daisyoin/
|
|
|
|
| Coming out of Hiramatsu Park at the foot of Daisyoin, this path
leads to Momiji Park. You can experience the abundant nature of
Miyajima. Why not try a calming walk away from all the noise and
commotion? |
|
|
|
| A park located in the natural forest of Mt. Misen at the foot
of the mountain. Known mostly as a famous place for seeing the maple
leaves, it also has cherry blossoms in the spring, beautiful deep
green in the early summer, and can be enjoyed year-round. |
|
|
|
 Miyajima
Ropeway
It goes non-stop to the miracle of the godsf natural love, Mt.
Misen. Misenfs altitude is 520 meters, and it is the highest peak
of Miyajima, which has been a place of religious reverence for
a long time.
After Daishi Koubou opened it in 806, it has gathered the religious
following of many great historical figures such as Kiyomori and
Hitobumi Itou, and to this day hosts many historical landmarks.
In 8th year of Heisei period (1996), the untouched nature of Misen
forest was designated a world heritage site along with the Itsukushima
Shinto Shrine, and it makes an amazing sight to see with its strange
rocks and stones, formed from its unique properties. From the
Misen Observation Deck, there are no obstructions, allowing for
a 360‹ panoramic viewing experience of the islandfs beauty.
http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~ropeway/
|
|
|
| |
Tsutsumigaura Nature Park |
|
The Tsutsumigaura Nature Park park, facing the sea’s
white sandy beach and shoal. In the spacious park, there are camps
right in the middle of the untouched woods, as well as sports
gardens where you can play baseball/soccer and 5 all-weather tennis
courts. Also, the beach is in front of the park, where in the
summer you can swim, and in the other seasons you can fish—perfect
for family/group recreation. Also from the park is a 3 kilometer
mountain trail towards Momijidani Park, a 5 kilometer coastline
leading to Oojari, and a light hiking course which make for agnificent
sightseeing. It’s a huge sightseeing park where you can
recreate with your family with sports or outdoor activities among
the clear water and greenery regardless of the season.
|
|
|
|
