The Itsukushima shrine is one of Japan's most popular tourist attractions. It is most famous for its dramatic gate, ortorii on the outskirts of the shrine,[2] the sacred peaks ofMount Misen, extensive forests, and its ocean view.[1][3] The shrine complex itself consists of two main buildings: the Honsha shrine and the Sessha Marodo-jinja, as well as 17 other different buildings and structures that help to distinguish it.[3]
The firsttorii on the site is said to have been erected in 569 , supposedly by Saeki Kuramoto during the reign ofEmpress Suiko (592–628CE).[2] Although atorii has been in place at the site since 1168, the current structure dates to 1875.[2] The present shrine has been popularly attributed toTaira no Kiyomori, a prominent noble of the Imperial Court and later Chancellor (Daijō-daijin), who contributed heavily to the construction of the shrine during his time as governor of Aki Province in 1168.[6] Another renowned patron of the shrine wasMōri Motonari, lord ofChōshū Domain,[2][6] who was responsible for rebuilding thehonden in 1571. As a result of waging war againstSue Takafusa there in 1555, Motonari is said to have tainted the island's grounds by battling on the island.[2] Spilling blood violated the strict taboos meant to preserve the sacred purity associated with Shinto shrines.[6] The only surviving structure in Itsukushima shrine from theKamakura period is the Kyakuden or "Guest-God's Shrine".
It was not uncommon during the 12th century for the nobility to build shrines or take on other architectural projects in order to "reflect their power and splendor."[7] TheTaira clan are known specifically for their involvement in maritime trade with theSong dynasty (960–1279) and for attempting to monopolize overseas trade along the Inland Sea.[8]
Kiyomori was at the height of his power when he established the Taira dominion over the island. He "ordered construction of the main hall of Itsukushima shrine as a display of reverence for the tutelary god of navigation and to serve as a base for maritime activities..."[8] Miyajima soon became the Taira family shrine.[2] Supposedly, Kiyomori chose the location also for the reason to further establish himself in the Heian aristocracy as one who deviated from the social norms ofShinto pilgrimage .[9] He lavished great wealth upon Itsukushima, and he enjoyed showing the place to his friends and colleagues, or even to royal personages..."[10]
It is also said thatKiyomori rebuilt the shrine on account of a dream he had of an old monk who promised him dominion over Japan if he constructed a shrine on the island of Miyajima, and pay homage to itskami who are enshrined there for his success in life.[6][2] The renovations funded by the Taira allowed for Itsukushima to "grow into an important religious complex."[9]
The Itsukushima Shrine at high tide, when it appears to float on the water
The Itsukushima shrine is dedicated to the three daughters ofSusano-o no Mikoto: Ichikishimahime no mikoto, Tagorihime no mikoto, and Tagitsuhime no mikoto. Otherwise known as thesanjoshin or "three female deities", these Shinto deities are the goddesses of seas and storms. Kiyomori believed the goddesses to be "manifestations ofKannon," therefore the island was understood as the home of thebodhisattva.[9] In Japanese, the word Itsukushima translates to "island dedicated to the gods."[2] The island itself is also considered to be a god, which is why the shrine was built on the outskirts of the island.[2] Adding to its sanctity, Mount Misen is the tallest peak at about 1,755 feet.[2] Tourists can either hike or take a ropeway to the top.[2]
Its treasures include the celebratedHeike Nōkyō, or "Sutras dedicated by theHouse of Taira." These consist of thirty-two scrolls, on which the Lotus, Amida, and Heart sutras have been copied by Kiyomori, his sons, and other members of the family, each completing the transcription of one scroll, and it was "decorated with silver, gold, and mother-of-pearl by himself [Kiyomori] and other members of his clan."[2]
Originally Itsukushima was a pure Shinto shrine "where no births or deaths were allowed to cause pollution". Because the island itself has been considered sacred, commoners were not allowed to set foot on it throughout much of its history to maintain its purity. Retaining the purity of the shrine is so important that since 1878, no deaths or births have been permitted near it.[11] To this day, pregnant women are supposed to retreat to the mainland as the day of delivery approaches, as are the terminally ill or the very elderly whose passing has become imminent.Burials on the island are forbidden. To allow pilgrims to approach, the shrine was built like apier over the water, so that it appeared to float, separate from the land.[12] The red entrance gate, ortorii, was built over the water for much the same reason. Commoners had to steer their boats through thetorii before approaching the shrine.
Thetorii gate, accessible from the island during low tide
Japan has gone to great lengths to preserve the twelfth-century-style architecture of the Shrine throughout history. The shrine was designed and built according to theShinden-zukuri style, equipped with pier-like structures over theMatsushima bay in order to create the illusion of floating on the water, separate from island, which could be approached by the devout "like a palace on the sea."[6] This idea of intertwining architecture and nature is reflective of a popular trend during the 16th century as well as theHeian period in which Japanese structures tended to "follow after their environment," often allowing trees, water, and other forms of natural beauty to enter into the decor of homes and buildings. That led to a far more intimate relationship between the two.[7]
The most recognizable and celebrated feature of the Itsukushima shrine, is its 50-foot (15 m)-tall vermilion otorii gate ("great gate"), built of decay-resistantcamphor wood.[2] The placement of an additional leg in front of and behind each main pillar identifies thetorii as reflecting the style ofRyōbu Shintō (dual Shinto), a medieval school of esotericJapanese Buddhism associated with theShingon Sect. Thetorii appears to be floating only at hightide. When the tide is low, it is approachable by foot from the island. Gatheringshellfish near the gate is popular at low tide. At night, powerful lights on the shore illuminate the structure. The currenttorii dates to 1875, although there has been one on that site since 1168.[2]
Shinto architecture has many distinct parts, most of which include the shrine'shonden (main hall) and the unusually longhaiden (main oratory), and its equally longheiden (offertory hall). Thehonden "is an eight-by-four bay structure with a kirizuma roof surfaced incypress bark."[2] Its walls are decorated in whitestucco, and were constructed using a process requiring fifteen coats of white stucco, with vermilion woodwork.[2]
Extending from the sides of theharaiden of the main shrine is anoh stage which dates from 1590.[1]Noh theater performances have long been used to pay homage to the gods through the ritual acting out of key events in Shinto myth.
On September 5, 2004, the shrine was severely damaged byTyphoon Songda. The boardwalks and roof were partially destroyed, and the shrine was temporarily closed for repairs. Today anyone can visit the shrine at a cost of 300 yen.[2]
Mori Motonari Attacking Sue Harutaka at Itsukushima byYoshitoshi
Itsukushima moon (Itsukushima no tsuki) byYoshitoshi
Snow on a clear day at Miyajima (seiten no yuki [Miyajima]), woodblock print, from the series Souvenirs of Travel II (Tabi miyage dai nishū), byHasui Kawase
^abcdefghijklmnopqrCali, Joseph; Dougill, John; Ciotti, Geoff (2013).Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion. University of Hawai'i Press.ISBN9780824837136.JSTORj.ctt6wqfhm.
^abShively, Donald H. (1999).The Cambridge History of Japan, Volume 2: Heian Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 635.
^abcBLAIR, HEATHER (2013). "Rites and Rule: Kiyomori at Itsukushima and Fukuhara".Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies.73 (1):1–42.ISSN0073-0548.JSTOR44478243.
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![Snow on a clear day at Miyajima (seiten no yuki [Miyajima]), woodblock print, from the series Souvenirs of Travel II (Tabi miyage dai nishū), by Hasui Kawase](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aTabi_miyage_dai_nish%25C5%25AB%2c_seiten_no_yuki_(Miyajima)_by_Kawase_Hasui.jpg)
