| Nezu Shrine 根津神社 | |
|---|---|
 The Nezu Shrinehonden | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Deity | Susanoo-no-Mikoto |
| Location | |
| Location | 1 Chome-28-9 Nezu,Bunkyō,Tokyo〒 113-0031 |
  Shown within Japan | |
| Coordinates | 35°43′13″N139°45′39″E / 35.72028°N 139.76083°E /35.72028; 139.76083 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Ishi-no-ma-zukuri |
| Founder | Yamato Takeru |
| Established | 1705 |
| Website | |
| www | |
 Glossary of Shinto | |
Nezu Shrine (根津神社,Nezu-jinja) is aShinto shrine located in theBunkyōward ofTokyo,Japan.
Established in 1705, it is one of the oldest places of worship in the city, and several of the buildings on the shrine grounds have been designated asImportant Cultural Property. It was built in theIshi-no-ma-zukuri style ofShinto architecture, following theTōshō-gū shrine inNikkō.
It is famous[1][2] for itsAzalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri) which is held on its grounds from early April until early May, and it has been described as "Tokyo’s most beautiful shrine"[3] and as one of the city's "most spectacular spring scenes".[4]
It is one of the Tokyo Ten Shrines (東京十社,Tokyo Jissha).[5]
According to the legend, the Nezu shrine was founded in Sendagi, just north of the current location, in the 1st century byYamato Takeru (also known as Prince Ōsu), the son ofEmperor Keikō.[6][7][8]The chief deity of the shrine wasSusanoo-no-Mikoto, thekami of thesea andstorms.[9]
In 1705[10] the shrine was relocated to Nezu byTokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646–1709), the fifthshōgun of theTokugawa dynasty, on the occasion of him choosing his successor,Tokugawa Ienobu (1662–1712).[11][12] In turn,Ienobu chose it as the guardian deity.[13] Nothing is left from the structures prior to the relocation,[14] but it still is one of the oldest shrines in the city.[15]
WhenEmperor Meiji moved his residence from theKyoto Imperial Palace to theImperial Palace inTokyo in 1868-1869, he sent envoys to the shrine to have it intercede with the gods on his behalf.[16]
There is a multitude oftorii (鳥居; literally bird abode) surrounding Nezu Shrine. The two main entrances are marked by big redtorii in themyōjin style, very common inShinto architecture, characterized by curved upper lintels. A plaque on top of them reads根津神社, the name of the shrine. They are flanked by lanterns.
One of the most famous[17][18] features of the shrine is the path of vermilion torii through the hillside left of the main hall. In the middle of the path there is a viewing platform over a pond ofkoi, overlooking the main shrine precincts. The subsidiary Otome Inari Shrine is located here.[19]
Another shorter path of torii leads down some stairs from the subsidiary Komagome Shrine to the larger path of torii.
A two-storiedrōmon (楼門; tower gate) is a type ofmon characterized by an inaccessible upper floor. Originally an element ofBuddhist architecture, this type of mon is also commonly found inShinto shrines. The one at Nezu shrine is located between thehonden and a little bridge, which makes it a popular attraction of the shrine.[20]
A plaque on top of the gate readsNezu-jinja (根津神社). It is guarded by twozuishin,[21] statues ofkami warrior-guardians depicted holding bows and arrows.
It was built in 1706,[22] and it is designated anImportant Cultural Property.[23]
The main building of Nezu shrine is ahonden (本殿,main hall) in theIshi-no-ma-zukuri style, a complexShinto shrine structure in which thehaiden, or worship hall, theheiden, or offertory hall, and thehonden, are all interconnected under the same roof.
The whole structure dates from 1706.
All three parts of the building (honden,haiden andheiden) are separately designated as anImportant Cultural Property.[24]
Akaramon (唐門,"chinese gate") is a type ofmon found inJapanese castles,Buddhist temples andShinto shrines. Connected to it in this case there is aSukibei ("lattice-windowed wall"), a 200 meter wall surrounding thehonden.[25]
A similar combination ofkaramon andSukibei can be seen at theUeno Tōshō-gū,[26] anotherEdo periodShinto shrine inTokyo closely associated to theTokugawa shogunate.
Both structures were built in 1706, and both of them are designated asImportant Cultural Properties.[27]
There is no admission fee for visitors to enter the shrine precincts.[28]
The entrances are at a 5 minute walk fromNezu Station on theChiyoda Line (9 minute fromSendagi Station in the same line) and at a 6 minute walk fromTodaimae Station on theNamboku Line.[29]
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